JJR512
Forum Deputy Chief
- 1,336
- 4
- 36
What are the instant hot and cold packs good for?
I was originally going to also ask specifically which to use for a suspected strain, but figured I should just check my protocols first. But I don't recall the Maryland protocols saying much specifically about sprains. I did search them, and found in the WEMT optional protocols section that it essentially says "RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for the first 24-48 hours, with heat after 36-48 hours" (paraphrased). But that's an optional supplemental protocol for wilderness EMS and I don't know if I'm authorized to follow it. Maybe it won't make any difference in my suburban area with transport times under 20 minutes.
Our hypothermia protocol calls for passive rewarming only. I don't recall ever being taught to use heat packs during EMT-B class at all. But we have them on our ambulances. Maybe they're for ALS, I don't know.
Our heat-related emergency protocol says to "cool patient as appropriate", and further says in the event of heat stroke to "aggressively cool patient". It does not explicitly say to use instant cold packs but it also doesn't say to not use them, and the language suggests that they should be used (as an "aggressive" means).
So basically the question is when, at the BLS level, are instant hot or cold packs typically used? In what situations might I want to consider using one or the other if my protocols don't say to not use them?
I was originally going to also ask specifically which to use for a suspected strain, but figured I should just check my protocols first. But I don't recall the Maryland protocols saying much specifically about sprains. I did search them, and found in the WEMT optional protocols section that it essentially says "RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for the first 24-48 hours, with heat after 36-48 hours" (paraphrased). But that's an optional supplemental protocol for wilderness EMS and I don't know if I'm authorized to follow it. Maybe it won't make any difference in my suburban area with transport times under 20 minutes.
Our hypothermia protocol calls for passive rewarming only. I don't recall ever being taught to use heat packs during EMT-B class at all. But we have them on our ambulances. Maybe they're for ALS, I don't know.
Our heat-related emergency protocol says to "cool patient as appropriate", and further says in the event of heat stroke to "aggressively cool patient". It does not explicitly say to use instant cold packs but it also doesn't say to not use them, and the language suggests that they should be used (as an "aggressive" means).
So basically the question is when, at the BLS level, are instant hot or cold packs typically used? In what situations might I want to consider using one or the other if my protocols don't say to not use them?