Aviat Space Envir Md
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The performance of inhalation, heating pads, plumbed garment, inhalation + heating pads, inhalation + plumbed garment, and body-to-body heat exchange rewarming were compared to trunk immersion and spontaneous rewarming under laboratory conditions with mildly cooled volunteers. The experiment included 72 rewarmings. Trunk immersion exhibited the smallest afterdrop, shortest recovery period, and most rapid rewarming. ⋯ It is concluded that heating pads and plumbed garment should not be used in treatment of profound hypothermia. It is further concluded that, because of the depression in respiratory minute volume accompanying profound hypothermia, the heating pads and plumbed garment in combination with inhalation therapy should not be used. This leaves inhalation therapy alone as the recommended treatment for profound hypothermia in the field.