Skip to main content

Table 2 Equipment to prevent, diagnose and treat hypothermia in Norway

From: Equipment to prevent, diagnose, and treat hypothermia: a survey of Norwegian pre-hospital services

 

Ground ambulance services (AS)

Fixed wing (FW) (n = 9)

Helicopter emergency medical service(HEMS)

National search and rescue service (SAR)

 

Total 512

Total 9

Total 12

Total 10

 

n and (%)

n and (%)

n and (%)

n and (%)

Insulation material available

Space blankets

151 (29)

5 (56)

8 (67)

0

Hospital duvets

468 (91)

9 (100)

11 (92)

10 (100)

Cotton blankets

436 (85)

7 (78)

7 (58)

2 (20)

Plastic “bubble wrap”

428 (84)

0

12 (100)

10 (100)

Wool blankets

154 (30)

9 (100)

2 (17)

9 (90)

Sleeping bags

0

0

0

0

Shelter bags (not insulated)

0

0

0

0

Insulated shelter bags

0

0

2 (17)

10 (100)

Separate head cover

220 (43)

0

7 (58)

10 (100)

Body bags

512 (100)

0

0

10 (100)

Plastic covers

0

1 (11)

0

0

Othera

148 (29)

0

0

0

Active warming equipment

72 (14)

4 (44)

7 (58)

7 (70)

Chemical heat pads

57 (11)

4 (44)

7 (58)

5 (50)

Water bottles

0

0

0

5 (50)

Electrical heating blankets

0

0

4 (33)

0

Forced air warmer

0

0

2 (17)

0

Warm i.v. fluid protocol

15 (3)

0

0

0

Other

0

0

0

0

Treatment protocols

373 (73)

2 (22)

5 (42)

7 (70)

Hypothermia thermometers

Yes

61 (12)

7 (100)

12 (100)

10 (100)

Not sure

123 (24)

0

0

0

For rectal use

61 (100)b

7 (100)

12 (100)

8 (80)

For oesophageal use

0

7 (100)

12 (100)

8 (80)

For tympanic use

46 (75)b

0

0

2 (20)

For oral use

0 (0)b

1 (11)

0

0

For axillary use

0 (0)b

3 (33)

0

0

Otherd

0

4 (44)

0

3 (30)

Hot i.v. fluids

468 (91)

1 (11)

11 (92)c

10 (100)

Infusion heaters

15 (3)

0

2 (17)

2 (20)

  1. aBlizzard® rescue blanket, vacuum mattresses.
  2. bNumber and percentage of units represented in “Yes” category (n = 61).
  3. cHEMS fluids are kept warm in storage lockers at the base, not in the helicopter unit.
  4. dBladder, skin.