Battlefield Trauma-Induced Hypothermia: Transitioning the Preferred Method of Casualty Rewarming

For centuries, cold and wet weather has affected military combat operations leading to tremendous loss of manpower caused by cold-weather-related injuries including trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia. The initial battlefield management of hypothermia in military personnel had not advanced significantly following many wars and conflicts until 2006. The aim of this review is to: 1) provide an overview of trauma-induced hypothermia (TIH); 2) highlight the Department of Defense strategy for the implementation of a hypothermia clinical management program for battlefield (prehospital) casualties; 3) highlight the research and development of the Hypothermia Prevention and Management Kit (HPMK) as the preferred field rewarming system for battlefield TIH; and 4) emphasize how the HPMK can be easily transitioned to the civilian sector for active rewarming of both accidental and TIH patients. The HPMK is ideal for those working in civilian Emergency Medical Services and austere prehospital care environments. This kit is a low cost, lightweight, small dimension commercial product that can provide effective passive management or active rewarming for both accidental (primary) and trauma-induced (secondary) hypothermia patients.