Immersion cooling during hyperthermia: why warmer may be better

Authors

Joanne N. Caldwell, University of WollongongFollow
Anne M. J van den Heuvel, University of WollongongFollow
Pete Kerry, University of WollongongFollow
Mitchell J. Clark, University of WollongongFollow
Gregory E. Peoples, University of WollongongFollow
Nigel A. S Taylor, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

28643

Publication Details

Caldwell, J. N., van den Heuvel, A. M. J., Kerry, P., Clark, M. J., Peoples, G. E. & Taylor, N. A. S. Immersion cooling during hyperthermia: why warmer may be better. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics, ICEE; Boston, USA: University of Wollongong; 2009. 238-241.

Abstract

A significant number of military personnel suffer from exertional heat illness, with some extreme cases resulting in death. These illnesses may occur without warning, they are often characterised by a rapid onset and can occur even in experienced personnel. Various field treatments for hyperthermia have been developed, and one of particular interest is the use of cold-water immersion. Not surprisingly, immersion in ice-cold water (0-2oC) has been shown to be an effective means of rapidly reducing body core temperature (Proulx et al., 2003, 2006).