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

Bernd Wallner (), Hannah Salchner, Markus Isser, Thomas Schachner, Franz J. Wiedermann and Wolfgang Lederer
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Bernd Wallner: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Hannah Salchner: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Markus Isser: Austrian Mountain Rescue Service—Tyrol, Medical Division, Florianistr. 2, 6410 Telfs, Austria
Thomas Schachner: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Franz J. Wiedermann: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Wolfgang Lederer: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: rescue blanket; hypothermia; emergency medicine; wilderness medicine; bandages; pelvic binder; tourniquet (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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