Wilderness Medicine Podcast June 2019 - Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Live
Jun 1, 2019
Dr. Steven Roy, an expert in wilderness medicine, discusses groundbreaking research on using chemical heat packs to extend ultrasound battery life in cold environments. He dives into the design and practical testing of this innovative approach, revealing a surprising 22-minute increase in runtime. The conversation then shifts to the Terra X-Cube, a unique facility for simulating extreme conditions, with insights from researchers on its groundbreaking applications. Roy also highlights the crucial importance of diversity in wilderness medicine, addressing barriers and initiatives to promote inclusion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Heat Packs Extend Ultrasound Runtime
- Chemical foot warmers applied directly to cold ultrasound bases prolonged usable battery life by ~22 minutes on average.
- Temperature and wind speed strongly reduced runtime, so warming the battery mitigates major environmental limits.
Practical Field Use Of Warmers
- Apply activated foot warmers to a cold ultrasound base immediately and begin scanning; pre-warming the device isn't necessary for a practical effect.
- Prepare warmers by shaking and sheltering for ~9 minutes before placement to simulate field use.
Why Foot Warmers Beat Hand Warmers
- Foot warmers outperformed hand warmers because they adhere, burn hotter, and need less airflow to sustain heat.
- Device design and warmer surface area interaction matter greatly for warming effectiveness.
