Phoenix firefighters are employing ice immersion techniques to treat heatstroke victims amid the season's first heat wave in the Southwest.
Anita Snow reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The Phoenix Fire Department is using cold water immersion to treat heatstroke victims during transport to hospitals.
- This method, familiar to marathon runners and military personnel, can lower body temperatures rapidly and improve survival rates.
- Phoenix has also introduced overnight cooling stations as part of new measures to combat rising temperatures and heat-related deaths.
Key quote:
“We’ve been seeing a severe uptick in the past three years in cases of severe heat illness.”
— Dr. Paul Pugsley, medical director of emergency medicine with Valleywise Health
Why this matters:
As temperatures in Phoenix reach extreme highs, innovative treatments like ice immersion are crucial for preventing heat-related deaths. Heatstroke, a severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails and internal temperatures rise dangerously high. The condition can lead to organ damage or even death if not treated swiftly. Traditional cooling methods, such as fans and misting, often fall short when faced with the rapid onset of heatstroke symptoms.
