First responders encounter injury victims who have various types of maladies, with hypothermia being perhaps the most common one. Hypothermia occurs when core body temperature drops below 95°F. In many cases, the body temperature of hypothermic injury victims is below 90°F - a temperature zone in which secondary hypothermia can become the primary medical problem. Injury victims experience hypothermia for several reasons, including:
Blood loss
Over-consumption of alcohol
Drug overdose
Weather exposure
To treat these conditions, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) crews should have a first responder IV kit that contains a portable IV warmer. Until recently, IV warmers were powered by electricity, but battery-powered models are now available from sellers of fire and EMS supplies. In addition to being easy to carry, these devices are also disposable, which eliminates the need for sterilization.
Why is Hypothermia Dangerous?
Hypothermia is dangerous for several reasons. For injury victims who need a blood transfusion, the condition is dangerous because receiving cold blood increases the risk for cardiac arrest. For injury victims who need surgery when they arrive in the hospital, hypothermia is dangerous because certain types of anesthesia will increase its effects. If left untreated, hypothermia may lead to a coma, and will eventually cause death.
By delivering warm IV infusions, EMS crews can prevent hypothermia and resolve existing hypothermia. In addition to potentially saving the life of injury victims, preventing or resolving their hypothermia makes them easier to treat when they arrive in the emergency room, particularly if they need surgery.
What Type of IV Warmer Should Be Used?
Sellers of fire and EMS supplies offer different types of portable IV warmers. When choosing a warmer for a first responder IV kit, the key is to select a model whose specifications make it easy to use in emergencies. The following specifications are ideal:
Setup time- The device should have a set up time of less than one minute. A set up time of 30 seconds is ideal.
Warm-up time- The device should have a setup time of less than one minute. A setup time of 45 seconds is recommended.
Weight- The device should have a weight of less than two pounds with the battery attached.
Tubing- The device should use standard tubing. Proprietary tubing is more expensive, harder to acquire, and rarely offers a therapeutic benefit.
Flow rate- The device should have a flow rate of 2-150 ml/min, a range that accommodates various types of infusions.
Portable warmers that have these specifications are available from sellers of fire and EMS supplies. Compared to conventional IV warmers, they are much faster to set up and heat up, do not require sterilization, and are light enough to be carried over all types of terrain.
Conclusion
A first responder IV kit should contain a portable warmer. Without the device, paramedics are ill prepared to treat injury victims who have hypothermia. Furthermore, paramedics may cause hypothermia by delivering IV infusions cold. To learn more about the benefits and specifications of portable IV warmers, contact a seller of portable IV supplies today.