Tarp Assisted Cooling of Hyperthermic Individuals

Tarp Assisted Cooling of Hyperthermic Individuals

This is a randomized controlled trial exploring the difference in cooling rates between two treatments: 1) tarp-assisted cooling and 2) the standard of care for heat stroke treatment in the wilderness.

This is a randomized controlled trial exploring the difference in cooling rates between two treatments: 1) tarp-assisted cooling and 2) the standard of care for heat stroke treatment in the wilderness. 12 healthy participants (6 males, 6 females) will participate. Visit 1 will be a screening visit, consisting of informed consent followed by completion of questionnaires to determine study eligibility. Participants will have their resting vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure), height, weight, and percent body fat measured. Visits 2 and 3 will be experimental trials. Participants will complete a treadmill protocol consisting of brisk walking wearing a weighted backpack (40 lb) until core temperature reaches 40.0°C. Upon completion of exercise, participants will exit the environmental chamber and be cooled in one of two ways in a randomized, counterbalanced manner: 1) tarp-assisted cooling or 2) Standard of Care. Cooling will take place for 20 minutes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy
• Aerobic exercise at least twice weekly

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of exertional heat illness