hypothermia bags

HYPOTHERMIA BAGS

What is hypothermia and why is it necessary to have a hypothermia bag? Does it mean that in order to become in a state of hypothermia you have to get into a hypothermia bag?

HYPOTHERMIA: An abnormally low body temperature, often caused by prolonged exposure to cold. Hypothermia can occur in summertime conditions if some one has an automobile accident that person in the accident if serious enough does become hypothermic and it has to be addressed.

Obviously, a hypothermia bag is necessary to trap body heat.

There are a number of hypothermia (?) bags on the market as well as the Wiggy’s brand, but do these other products actually work. To some degree yes, but long term, if necessary, no.

In July 1993 I went to Phoenix Arizona to attend a Search and Rescue conference as an exhibitor. Aside from a sleeping bag I showed a prototype HYPOTHERMIA BAG. What I learned very quickly from one of the attendees was that I really knew nothing of what was necessary for the hypothermia bag to have greater value.

What I had was a bag that would certainly keep a damaged person warm. I used my L-15 level insulation. This person said “yes it will keep someone warm but what about what the EMT who has to work with it? The hypothermia bag has to be “user friendly.”

The attribute of the hypothermia bag we make has the following listed from the head end down.

FACE OPENING FOR AN OXYGEN MASK

ARM OPENING ON EACH SIDE TO ALLOW FOR I-V TUBES OR GIVE INJECTIONS

A FLAP OVER THE ABDOMINAL AREA SO A CATHETER CAN BE PLACED. ALSO, SO LINES CAN BE PUT THROUGH WHEN LOWERING A VICTIM

CENTER ZIPPER SO WORK CAN BE DONE ON EITHER LOWER LIMB

TEN STRAPS TO CARRY THE VICTIM

LOOPS ON THE BACK IF IT IS NECESSARY TO INSERT A BOARD

COMPLETELY MACHINE WASHABLE AND DRYABLE. THE HYPOTHERMIA BAG SEPARATES THE TOP FROM THE BOTTOM VIA OUR #10 MOLDED TOOTH ZIPPERS

COMES WITH A COMPRESSION STUFF SACK

All of the shell material is waterproof coated. As was explained to me at the time (1993) they did not want body fluids to soak into the materials. (One company uses pile fabric as the lining which will trap liquid, body fluid easily. Another company uses down as their insulation, the down proof fabric is not liquid proof). I guess the owners of these companies have never taken the time to speak with EMT’s to find out about safety.

Finally, the insulation that we use is Lamilite. There is no form of insulation man made or bird grown the can be discussed in the same sentence as Lamilite. It made all of what ever existed in the late 1960’s when I developed it completely obsolete.

As for cost, the Wiggy’s HYPOTHERMIA BAG has always been sold at the wholesale price. A number of retailers who approached me wanted to carry them which would mean they would have to make a profit which I am not against. But I thought this product has one and only one purpose and that is to save lives so I sell it at the lowest price I can.

When someone in a situation where they will go into shock if they are not warm the Wiggy HYPOTHERMIA can save the day. I do not believe those other products on the market can compare.

They will last for years!!!!!!!!!!