Phoenix turns to ice-filled body bags to treat heatstroke as US south-west bakes
by Associated Press from on (#6NAHT)
Technique known as cold-water immersion adopted by Phoenix hospitals after county saw 645 heat-related deaths last year
The season's first heatwave is already baking the south-west with triple-digit temperatures as firefighters in Phoenix - America's hottest big city - employ new tactics in hopes of saving more lives in a county that saw 645 heat-related deaths last year.
Starting this season, the Phoenix fire department is immersing heatstroke victims in ice on the way to area hospitals. The medical technique, known as cold-water immersion, is familiar to marathon runners and military service members and has also recently been adopted by Phoenix hospitals as a go-to protocol, according to fire captain John Prato.
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