Published on August 08, 2024
As the summer temperatures soar, the Maricopa Fire/Medical Department (MFMD) is taking proactive measures to safeguard residents from the potentially life-threatening effects of extreme heat. This summer, MFMD has introduced a new and innovative approach to treating heatstroke patients: Cold Water Immersion (CWI). This technique, familiar to marathon runners and military service members, has recently been adopted by many Phoenix-Metro hospitals as a go-to protocol. Now, it’s making its way to the streets of Maricopa as standard practice for all MFMD crews. Heatstroke is a severe medical condition that occurs when the body's temperature regulation system fails due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, resulting in a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher. If not treated promptly and effectively, this condition can lead to altered mental status, organ damage, and even death. To combat this, MFMD has equipped its firefighter-paramedics with specialized ice and human-sized immersion bags designed for Cold Water Immersion. This method involves rapidly cooling down individuals suffering from extreme heat-related illnesses by immersing them in ice-cold water. It is a quick and effective way to manage the dangerous effects of heatstroke, which can significantly improve patient outcomes. "We are committed to utilizing the latest and most effective treatments to keep our residents safe," said Fire Chief Brad Pitassi. "We recently used this technique on a patient who was unresponsive upon arrival. After being immersed in cold water, the patient went from being unresponsive to verbally communicating and following the commands of medical staff. W
Pictured: MFMD crews conducting training exercises on how to utilized the Cold Water Immersion system
The protocol for using Cold Water Immersion is straightforward yet highly effective. When a patient's temperature surpasses 104 degrees, and they present with altered mental status, they are fully immersed in the ice. Firefighter-paramedics then continuously monitor the patient’s vital signs, including their temperature, to ensure safety and effectiveness. The patient is removed from the immersion bag once their temperature drops to a safer level of 101 degrees.
Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and seek immediate medical attention if they or someone they know begins to show signs of heat-related illness. With MFMD's new cooling technique, the community can rest assured that the highest standard of care is being provided to those in need.