Rescue lifting system (RLS) might help to prevent death after Rescue from immersion in cold water

In order to prevent sudden death after rescue from immersion in cold water, victims should be handled carefully avoiding additional cardiovascular stress. In this study we investigated if a new double-sling rescue system ("Rescue Lifting System-RLS) was superior to conventional single-sling tec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of sports medicine 2001, Vol.22 (1), p.17-20
Main Authors: ROLLNIK, J. D, WITT, K, HÄNERT, W, RIX, W, SCHWINDT, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy
Athletic Injuries
Biological and medical sciences
Death, Sudden - prevention & control
Emergency and intensive care: injuries, diseases due to physical agents. Diving. Drowning. Disaster medicine
Equipment Design
Heart Rate
Humans
Hypothermia
Intensive care medicine
Lifting
Male
Medical sciences
Posture
Rescue Work - methods
Transportation of Patients - methods
Water
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Summary:In order to prevent sudden death after rescue from immersion in cold water, victims should be handled carefully avoiding additional cardiovascular stress. In this study we investigated if a new double-sling rescue system ("Rescue Lifting System-RLS) was superior to conventional single-sling techniques. We studied 14 healthy male subjects in good physical condition aged 21 to 40 years. They were lifted up from the ground with the new RLS and two conventional techniques ("Lifesling" and a navy rescue system used in SAR helicopters). Heart rate was determined by QRS detection (Polar Precision Performance device; Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland) and blood pressure by sphygmomanometry. RLS and "Lifesling" were tested under conditions of dry land and immersion in 18 degrees C water. Rescue with RLS induced only moderate heart rate changes which were significantly lower (about 30 bpm) than with conventional techniques. These findings could be reproduced under "wet" condition. RLS enables rescue in a supine position avoiding extensive orthostatic stress. It might therefore be favourable in preventing sudden death after rescue from immersion in cold water.
ISSN:0172-4622
1439-3964
DOI:10.1055/s-2001-11361