As the Southwest grapples with scorching triple-digit temperatures, the Phoenix Fire Department is rolling out innovative strategies to tackle heat-related fatalities. In response to the staggering toll of 645 heat-related deaths in the county last year, the department is introducing cold water immersion therapy, a method commonly used in marathon running and military contexts, to swiftly lower body temperatures of heatstroke victims.
This season marks the integration of cold water immersion therapy into the standard protocols of Phoenix emergency responders. Demonstrated by Fire Captain John Prato, this technique involves immersing patients in ice-packed bags during transit to hospitals, with the potential to significantly enhance patient survivability. With ice and immersion bags now standard equipment on emergency vehicles, the city aims to mitigate the dire consequences of heatwaves, a critical concern in America’s hottest big city.
