Keeping Kool
Recently a friend surprised all assembled with the sudden interjection “Ow, me back's gone!”.
He then surprised me by walking to the heaviest chair in the room, and moving it . . . (If I'd been closer I would have helped!)
Recalling the R.I.C.E. procedure, and knowing that he'd had this happen before, I let him settle and asked “Do you want something cold for that?”.
We didn't have any crushed ice or even the popular stand-by, a bag of frozen peas, but I did have a Koolpak to hand. (My sister keeps a bag of cheap supermarket-brand peas in the freezer for such eventualities. Not for consumption!)
What's the Advantage?
The literature says to cover the pack with a cloth, to prevent frostbite(!), as the pack becomes 'ice cold, for up to 40 minutes'.
I didn't believe a word of it because endothermic reactions (ones that get cold) aren't that good. And I'd asked someone who knew.
The surprise came when I activated the pack by snapping the plastic thingy inside.
As supplied, a pack is a stiff plastic bag with crunchy granules inside. Upon activation the whole lot instantly liquifies, and becomes suddenly very cold. OK, that last part wasn't such a surprise, but finding myself holding a floppy bag was.
The gentleman shoved it up the back of his shirt for 10-15 minutes (I wasn't anal enough to time it - it wasn't a life-threatening condition), and concurred that it had helped alleviate inflammation and swelling.
The advantage is, of course, that you can carry it where there's no freezer available.
And the Lesson Here?
Nothing to be concerned about. Just remember that the pack will transform into something about as handlable as a wet fish, and don't drop it in front of the casualty!
I was surprised by the speed at which it changed, but that's what experience is, I suppose.
Stock-up for Summer
St Andrew's Ambulance have instant ice packs in boxes of ten. And don't forget the cover - theirs is disposable, also in packs of ten.
Actually the Saint John holster, whilst more expensive, is very nice. And reusable with an occaisional wash.
It's basically a cloth bag (so a triangular bandage would do at a pinch) but the holster has a velco strap to hold it in place round an ankle or knee.
