High-energy visible light transparency and ultraviolet ray transmission of metallized rescue sheets

Rescue Blankets as Multifunctional Rescue Equipment in Alpine and Wilderness Emergencies-A Narrative Review and Clinical Implications

The utilization of rescue blankets in pre-hospital emergency medicine exceeds protection from hypothermia and enhanced visibility by far. In this narrative review, we focus on emphasizing the alternative applications of these fascinating multifunctional tools in the pre-hospital setting. A literature search in PubMed^® and Web of Science^TM yielded 100 results (last update was on 8 July 2022), a total number of 26 of which were included in this narrative review. Nine articles assessing alternative functions of rescue blanket were further evaluated and described in more detail. In addition, we performed various experimental and observational trials to test the functionality of rescue practice in mountain emergency medicine. Newly fabricated rescue blankets proved to possess impressive robustness. We evaluated rescue blankets in their applicability to not only protect from hypothermia, but also as practical tools to treat catastrophic hemorrhage and bleeding limbs, to perform open pneumothorax chest seals in sucking chest wounds, to prevent damage to unprotected eyes on the glacier and as alternative instruments for transportation in the inaccessible areas. Rescue blankets are important rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies with multifunctional applications, and must be part of every personal medical kit.

Rescue blankets as multifunctional rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies: a commentary

Emergency applications of rescue blankets go far beyond protection from hypothermia. In this review alternative applicabilities of these remarkable multifunctional tools were highlighted. Newly fabricated rescue blankets prove impressive robustness. The high tensile strength along with its low weight enable further applications, e.g. immobilization of injured extremities, splinting, wound dressing, a makeshift chest seal in sucking chest wounds, amongst others. Furthermore, the foil can be used as a vapour barrier, as eye protection and it can even be used to construct a stopgap bivouac sack, as alternative tool for transportation in the remote area and a wind shield or a water reservoir in the wilderness. During search-and-rescue missions the light reflection from the gold surface enhances visibility and increases the chance to be found. Rescue blankets are essential parts of first aid kits and backpacks in alpine and wilderness environment with multifunctional applicabilities. In this commentary to a review we want to evaluate the numerous applicabilities of rescue blankets in the treatment of emergencies by wilderness medicine and pre-hospital EMS.

Rescue blanket as a provisional seal for penetrating chest wounds in a new ex vivo porcine model

BACKGROUND

Open pneumothorax after a penetrating thorax trauma is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. Emergency application of a chest seal allowing the release of trapped air is the optimum initial therapy until surgical chest drainage is available.

METHODS

In a newly developed experimental porcine model of open pneumothorax we tested three different materials regarding their applicability for acute treatment of sucking chest wounds in pre-hospital emergency care, namely a commonly used rescue blanket (RB), plastic foil from a gauze package (packaging material, PM) and a commercial chest seal (CS).

RESULTS

An ex vivo open pneumothorax model using a porcine chest wall and a vacuum-assisted drainage system was successfully established. Rescue blanket segments sized 70 x 100 mm achieved significantly higher rates of successful sealing than did plastic foils from a gauze package sized 100 x 100 mm when the devices were applied to the moistened chest wall and fixed on three sides (5/5 (100%) vs. 0/5 (0%), p=0.002). Loosely fixed rescue blankets efficiently released injected air (10/10, 100%) and consequently sealed the wound in all cases (10/10).

CONCLUSIONS

Rescue blankets, applied wet, are appropriate chest seals with good occlusive and adherence properties. Fixation on two sides of the dressing is sufficient to allow trapped air to exit and sufficient sealing of the chest wound. Rescue blankets were superior to plastic foils from a gauze package and were seen to function as a potent makeshift chest seal when no commercial chest seal is available.

Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Potential of Indian Sandalwood Oil against Environmental Stressors In Vitro and Ex Vivo

Distilled from the heartwood of Santalum album, Indian sandalwood oil is an essential oil that historically has been used as a natural active ingredient in cosmetics to condition and brighten the skin. It has been documented to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative activities. Here, we investigated the protective and anti-aging effects of Indian sandalwood oil in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HaCaT cells and in human skin explants after exposure to oxidative stress. Using a probe DCFH-DA, the antioxidant capacity of Indian sandalwood oil was monitored following exposure to blue light at 412 nm and 450 nm or cigarette smoke. The anti-aging effect of sandalwood oil was also explored in human skin explants via the assessment of collagenase level (MMP-1). We reported that Indian sandalwood oil possessed antioxidant potential that can scavenge the ROS generated by a free radical generating compound (AAPH). Subsequent exposure to environmental stressors revealed that Indian sandalwood oil possessed superior antioxidant activity in comparison to vitamin E (alpha tocopherol). Using human skin explants, this study demonstrated that Indian sandalwood oil can also inhibit the pollutant-induced level of MMP-1. The findings indicated that Indian sandalwood oil can potentially serve as a protective and anti-aging active ingredient in cosmetics and dermatology against environmental stressors.

Rescue blankets hamper thermal imaging in search and rescue missions

Thermal imaging for unmanned aerial vehicles is used to search for victims in poor visibility conditions. We used a gimbal-mounted camera for thermo-radiation measurements of body temperature from persons covered with rescue blankets in the hibernal wilderness setting. Long-wave infrared radiation in the spectral range between 7500 and 13,500 nm was evaluated. Parts of this research have previously been published in a review on electromagnetic radiation reflectivity of rescue blankets (https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/10/4/375/htm). Surface temperature measurement was diminished by clothing, namely by 72.6% for fleece, by 82.2% for an additional down jacket and by 92.3% for an additional all-weather jacket, as compared to forehead temperature. Furthermore, we detected that a single-layer rescue blanket is sufficient to render recognition of a body shape impossible. With three layers covering a clothed body infrared transmission was almost completely blocked. However, rescue blankets increase visibility for thermal cameras due to high gradients in temperature. Conspicuously low temperatures from objects of 1 to 2 m length may indicate reflections from rescue blanket surfaces in a cold environment. Ideally, rescue blankets should be removed from the body to increase the chance of being located when using thermal imaging to search for victims in search and rescue missions.

High Tensile Strength Increases Multifunctional Use of Survival Blankets in Wilderness Emergencies

INTRODUCTION

Metallic survival blankets are multifunctional medical devices frequently used to provide thermal insulation in sport and leisure activities and in emergency care. To assess further properties of survival blankets, we investigated their breaking strength under laboratory conditions.

METHODS

An experimental study was performed with 2 commercially available survival blankets used by emergency medical services. Breaking strength measured with a tensile testing machine was determined consecutively with 10 tests conducted per brand.

RESULTS

Breaking strength (mean±SD) of the tested brands was 3.8±0.4 kN, (range: 2.8-4.1 kN) and 4.0±0.5 kN (range: 3.2-4.6 kN). When using the windlass of a commercially available tourniquet for the longitudinally folded survival blanket, the windlass bent at a force of 0.8 kN; when using a carabiner, the force exceeded 3.6 kN before failure occurred in both blanket brands.

CONCLUSIONS

Both brands of survival blankets show impressive tensile strength, indicating that they have the potential to serve as temporary pelvic binders or even as makeshift tourniquets when urgent bleeding control is needed.