At the site of an accident it is vital that patients are wrapped quickly to avoid life-threatening hypothermia. Professional and volunteer rescue teams have extensive experience of hypothermia in connection with serious incidents. Nevertheless, there is no uniform way of wrapping cold patients. The various organisations have developed their own procedures and solutions using different materials for wrapping and evacuating patients.
SINTEF and Haukeland University Hospital have been working together on hypothermia research for a long time. They have contributed significantly to this project and were able to confirm the rescue teams’ wish for better and more effective rescue equipment. This formed the starting point for the establishment of Thermosaver AS.
The company secured funding from the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway as well as support from the Norwegian Armed Forces and several private investors.
Multidisciplinary research and development
Thermosaver was born from a multidisciplinary R&D project that focused on combining the latest medical research on hypothermia with the right materials. To gain better insight into the problems faced by rescuers, the product designers joined them on operations to observe them at work.
Through workshops and prototype testing the designers sought to develop a product that would provide a high level of thermal protection while taking up as little space as possible in storage. Red Cross, the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, no. 330 Squadron RNoAF, the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society and Norwegian Special Forces took part in the product assessment and provided valuable input to the development work. Numerous tests were conducted at SINTEF’s Work Physiology Laboratory in Trondheim along the way.
Insulating barrier absorbs moisture
One of the technical innovations is an insulating vapour barrier which is also super absorbent. This provides effective heat conservation while also absorbing moisture, blood and bodily fluids. The result is better comfort, safety, and hygiene for the patient.
The rescue bag is designed to allow the patient to be quickly wrapped. Clear graphics and colour coding makes for intuitive and simple use. It also has extra insulation underneath the back and head to minimise heat loss. When not in use, it is kept in a compression bag so the storage space required is minimal.
Quick handling saves lives
The main benefit of Thermosaver lies in the simplification and improvement of the rescue operations. Lives are saved when injured and hypothermic people receive faster and more effective assistance. Red Cross teams have found that it takes them half the time to wrap a patient in the Thermosaver compared to using traditional methods.
In high winds and rough seas simple and safe handling is vital. Keeping loose parts to a minimum is also essential. For the emergency services there are significant savings to be made from a standard all-in-one product compared to having to purchase a range of different products. The compact design releases storage space, and the bag’s many functions mean it can replace several existing products, like carrying sheets, blankets and bubble wrap.
Thermosaver: Rescue bag for hypothermic patients
By: Thermosaver AS and SINTEF AS
Design disciplines: Industrial design and design research
Recipient of the DOGA Award
This project has received the DOGA Award for Design and Architecture for its outstanding qualities and for showing how strategic use of design and architecture create important social, environmental and economic value.
These are three reasons why this is an exemplary project:
- Reducing the mortality rate of hypothermia
The Red Cross has confirmed that using Thermosaver takes half the time compared to traditional methods. This helps to reduce the mortality rate of hypothermia.
- All-in-one solution gives win-win effect
The all-in-one solution saves rescue organisations from having to purchase a range of different products. This saves money, reduces the environmental impact and makes it easier to use the product in the field. The fact that the bag can be re-used is another plus point. - Creates local jobs
Thermosaver is primarily manufactured in Gausdal, which is good for Norwegian jobs and local growth. The bag is made from 100% polyester and can be recycled. The fabrics are supplied by environmentally aware producers in Norway, Sweden and Belgium.
