Phoenix Firefighters Employ Cold Plunges to Combat Heat Emergencies

In Phoenix, Arizona, firefighters are taking a novel approach to rescue overheated hikers by utilizing mobile cold plunges, innovative devices that resemble a mix between a tarp and a sleeping bag. These tools have become essential during the scorching spring and summer months.

Mike Johnson, a Phoenix Fire Department captain, explained that traditional methods involving ice packs were insufficient for cooling down individuals suffering from heatstroke. “When a person’s temperature is that high, only a cold immersion will work,” he emphasized.

Cold plunges have gained popularity partly due to their endorsement by figures like Wim Hof, but their real-life application as a critical first-response treatment for hyperthermia has been backed by medical research. Studies published by the National Library of Medicine highlight cold plunges as the “gold standard for exertional heatstroke treatment,” stressing the urgency for rapid intervention.

On August 16, a hiker on Camelback Mountain exemplified this need when she became overheated. Fire crews, alerted to her distress, quickly transported her using a helicopter and employed the cold plunge to lower her dangerously high body temperature. The device can be easily stored in emergency vehicles, allowing for rapid deployment.

With a trial run in 2024 and subsequent training, these cold plunges have become a staple in the department's rescue operations. “This time of year we take them out on pretty much every call,” Johnson noted, ensuring that help is swift for those at risk of heat-related illnesses.

Source: www.outsideonline.com