Effect of wet clothing removal on skin temperature in subjects exposed to cold and wrapped in a vapor barrier: a human, randomized, crossover field study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prehospital care for cold-stressed and hypothermic patients focuses on effective insulation and rewarming. When encountering patients wearing wet clothing, rescuers can either remove the wet clothing before isolating the patient or isolate the patient using a vapor barrier. Wet clothing removal increases skin exposure but avoids the need to heat the wet clothing during rewarming. Leaving wet clothing on will avoid skin exposure but is likely to increase heat loss during rewarming. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of wet clothing removal compared to containing the moisture using a vapor barrier on skin temperature in a prehospital setting.

Methods

This randomized crossover experimental field study was conducted in a snow cave in Hemsedal, Norway. After an in

SUBMITTER: Hagen LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10809790 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature