Alaska medicine
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Clinicians who treat patients suffering from cold water near-drowning or hypothermia routinely warm inspire gases greater than body temperature in accordance with care guidelines promulgated by the various organizations. However, humidifiers are designed to prevent heating gases beyond 41 C (assuming the use of a standard six foot aerosol circuit) in order to meet International Standards Organization regulations (ISO). Clinicians must modify equipment in order to deliver care. There are several factors, which can effect the highest temperature that a particular circuit will achieve. Among the factors that are considered most important for maximum circuit are tubing length, gas flow, and the number of heaters (heat source). ⋯ All factors (tubing length, number of heaters, and tubing length) were important determinants of maximum gas temperature. The effect of tubing length can be overwhelmed by higher gas flows.