Bubblewrap for hypothermia prevention – the ultimate solution or yet another fancy gadget?

Introduction The cold climate in Norway demands a persistent prehospital effort to prevent hypothermia in the seriously ill or injured patient. The current trend among HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) in Norway is to wrap the patient in bubblewrap during the prehospital phase. To our knowledge, no risk assessment of this procedure has been done and its efficiency in preventing hypothermia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the insulating properties of bubble wrap using a standardized method. Wrapping in three cotton blankets was evaluated for comparison. Methods The experiment was performed at the SINTEF Work Physiology Laboratory, Trondheim, Norway according to test procedure NS-EN 13537 "Requirements for sleeping bags". The thermal manikin was wrapped in order to leave only the face exposed to air. The bubble wrap was three layer industrial quality and the cotton blankets were standard blankets, used at most Norwegian hospitals.