Sub-Zero Temps & EMS - What Do YOU Do?

[xfirefighter484x 234]

With reading so many friends posting their statuses about the temperatures in negative double digits, and another thread about the temperatures and equipment, how do you/your department deal with these weather conditions? Are there any GOG/SOG/SOPs regarding how long you can remain out in the elements before going to rehab/being switched out, such as a long duration incident? What about for your equipment?

Another thread described removing an AED from a unit, how about drug boxes or other equipment? Do you keep it indoors until the call comes in and run it all out to the ambulance?

[WAS967 97]

A few tips to keep in mind folks:

1) Turn on the heat in the back of your rig on the way to the call. I've been getting in a lot of ambulances lately and it's been almost as cold in the patient compartment as it is outside. The warmer it is in there, the quicker people will warm up when they come in from the cold.

2) When dealing with the elderly, make yourself sweat. Peel off your layers and keep the heat kicking. While you are sweating, they are most likely still only borderline comfortable. Especially after just being out in the frigid cold.

3) For the love of GOD - put blankets on your stretchers/stairchairs. PLEASE. A sheet ain't cutting it. Got one of the wool jammies? Great. If not, toss a few hospital blankets on there and don't be afraid to double up.

4) Cover feet and heads. A lot of people loose heat through their head. Give em the "Mother Theresa" look.

5) Consider storing a liter of fluid over the heater/blower in the front of the truck. I've felt fluids that were stored inside for a period of time still feel quite cold. Nothing makes a person's temperature drop like cold IV fluids.

6) Stock heat packs. Yeah a lot of people carry ice packs, but they don't do much good in the winter. Got a hypothermic patient? Pack the major arterial points and work on getting core temp back up. (Groin, armpits, neck, back of knees, inside elbows, etc - any places where arteries are close to the surface of the skin).

You'd be surprised how quickly someone (especially the elderly) can drop their core body temperature one or two degrees, which can make a HUGE difference in different situations. Plan ahead, be proactive, protect your patient (and yourself).

Stay warm out there.

[Remember585 815]

Cover your calls??? Perhaps have standby crews???

[Jybehofd 85]

with system management... aka post on the street corner keep the truck on and keep the tank full.. you don't want water in there