@article {Zasa418, author = {Michele Zasa and Neil Flowers and David Zideman and Timothy J Hodgetts and Tim Harris}, title = {A torso model comparison of temperature preservation devices for use in the prehospital environment}, volume = {33}, number = {6}, pages = {418--422}, year = {2016}, doi = {10.1136/emermed-2015-204769}, publisher = {British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine}, abstract = {Background Hypothermia is an independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with trauma. Several strategies and products have been developed to minimise patients{\textquoteright} heat loss in the prehospital arena, but there is little evidence to inform the clinician concerning their effectiveness.Methods We used a human torso model consisting of two 5.5-litre fluid bags to simultaneously compare four passive (space blanket, bubble wrap, Blizzard blanket, ambulance blanket) and one active (Ready-Heat II blanket) temperature preservation products. A torso model without any temperature preservation device provided a control. For each test, the torso models were warmed to 37{\textdegree}C and left outdoors. Core temperatures were recorded every 10 min for 1 h in total; tests were repeated 10 times.Results A significant difference in temperature was detected among groups at 30 and 60 min (F (1.29, 10.30)=103.58, p\<0.001 and F (1.64, 14.78)=163.28, p\<0.001, respectively). Mean temperature reductions (95\% CI) after 1 h of environmental exposure were the following: 11.6 (10.3 to 12.9) {\textdegree}C in control group, 4.5 (3.9 to 5.1) {\textdegree}C in space blanket group, 3.6 (3 to 4.3) {\textdegree}C in bubble-wrap group, 2.1 (1.7 to 2.5) {\textdegree}C in Blizzard blanket group, 6.1 (5.8 to 6.5) {\textdegree}C in ambulance blanket group and 1.1 (0.7 to 1.6) {\textdegree}C in Ready-Heat II blanket group.Conclusions In this study, using a torso model based on two 5 L dialysate bags we found the Ready-Heat II heating blanket and Blizzard blanket were associated with lower rates of heat loss after 60 min environmental exposure than the other devices tested.}, issn = {1472-0205}, URL = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/33/6/418}, eprint = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/33/6/418.full.pdf}, journal = {Emergency Medicine Journal} }