EMTs and firefighters in the Phoenix area use cold water immersion bags for heat rescues

PHOENIX (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - When it comes to saving lives in the high heat, EMTs have a newish tool in their arsenal.

It's another summer morning in Tempe where the fire department is turning on its sirens as they're responding to a call about someone collapsing because of the extreme heat.

"It becomes almost a daily thing this time of year," said Deputy Chief Heath Tinsdale with the Tempe Fire Department.

A walk outside that went a little longer than normal turned into a 911 call. Luckily, the man is okay, but was still taken to the hospital.

"Very common for us. Again, it comes down to preparation for people. If they're prepared for the heat like this, he told the crew when they were dealing with him that he didn't realize how hot it was when he left," Deputy Chief Tinsdale shared.

Unfortunately, what's also becoming common are mountain rescues in the summer.

Last week, Phoenix Fire had to rescue an individual hiking on the Cholla Trail, who fell and was dealing with heat-related issues, one of the 44+ rescues so far this year on Camelback Mountain.

"We did use a cold-water immersion bag, and it did make a difference," said Captain Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department.

Cold water immersion bags were implemented to the Phoenix Fire Department in 2024. They're giant bags that wrap around a person who's overheating to engulf them in ice and rapidly bring down their body temperature.

"When we get to these patients, their temperatures could be 105-106, and our goal is to get down to 102 before we transfer care to the hospitals," Captain Keller expressed.

According to Keller, the cold water immersion bags are on every truck, and during the summer months, they use them about twice a day, which has saved lives.

"Definitely been lifesaving. It's so imperative that you stay out of the heat if you can. If you can't, take breaks every 45 minutes," Keller remarked.