The Effectiveness of Emergency Room Protocols for Treating Hyperthermia

The Effectiveness of Emergency Room Protocols for Treating Hyperthermia

This study will help us as scientists and clinicians understand how effective commonly used cooling protocols in emergency departments are and which of the protocols is the most effective.

It consists of a single, approximately 1 hour preliminary session and five, approximately 3 hour experimental sessions, equaling an approximate 16 hour total time commitment.

The purpose of this research is to test the effectiveness of three cooling protocols.

1. Cooling packs
2. "Ice Sheets", which are bed sheets soaked in ice water, wrapped around the participant, while a fan blows air on them.
3. Body bag filled with ice, commonly used in emergency departments to treat hyperthermia

Additionally, a negative control (passive cooling in air-conditioned room) and a positive control (cold water immersion).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active, healthy individuals

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
• Have a pacemaker
• Currently taking any prescribed or over the counter medications or nutritional supplements known to influence thermoregulatory responses
• Experience lingering pain from a previous musculoskeletal injury (i.e. knee, hip, or back pain)
• Use tobacco/nicotine products