The Effectiveness of Emergency Room Protocols for Treating Hyperthermia

Summary

This study will help us as scientists and clinicians understand how effective commonly used cooling protocols in emergency departments are and which of the protocols is the most effective. It consists of a single, approximately 1 hour preliminary session and five, approximately 3 hour experimental sessions, equaling an approximate 16 hour total time commitment. The purpose of this research is to test the effectiveness of three cooling protocols. 1. Cooling packs 2. "Ice Sheets", which are bed sheets soaked in ice water, wrapped around the participant, while a fan blows air on them. 3. Body bag filled with ice, commonly used in emergency departments to treat hyperthermia Additionally, a negative control (passive cooling in air-conditioned room) and a positive control (cold water immersion).

Eligibility

Age range

18–65 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Procedure
  Passive cooling

  During recovery, participants lie supine in an air-conditioned room

• Procedure
  Cooling packs

  During recovery, participants lie supine while ice packs are applied to both sides of the neck, both arm pits, and both sides of the groin

• Procedure
  Ice sheets

  During recovery, participants are wrapped in bed sheets that have been soaked in ice water, while an electric fan blows air across their body

• Procedure
  Body bag cooling

  During recovery, participants are placed in a body bag full of ice, and then have ice placed on top of their body, followed by zipping the body bag closed.

• Procedure
  Cold water immersion

  During recovery, participants are submerged in a bath, up to their neck, in cold water water with ice

Location