Hypothermia is one leg of trauma's lethal triad — and in far-forward casualty care, passive insulation alone isn't enough while powered warming devices are impractical to carry and run.
How do you actively warm a casualty with no power, through a long evac?
The HPMK® is the answer field medicine settled on — the CoTCCC-recommended system that combines a reinforced, patented HRS outer shell with an integrated self-heating liner in one vacuum-packaged kit. The HRS provides the thermal envelope: a 4-ply composite fabric with a protected non-conductive reflective layer blocks radiant heat loss, wind, and rain, while a top-to-bottom tapered shape and built-in hood with fluid-absorption pad minimize air gaps to maximize isothermal performance. Continuous 1.5″ 360° hook-and-loop closures let a provider reach in for reassessment, wound checks, and IV maintenance without un-wrapping the patient. Inside, the self-heating, oxygen-activated liner needs no external power and sustains 10 continuous hours of dry heat — enough to hold patient temperature across the most extended evacuation timelines. Vacuum packaging compresses the kit to a 6.75 × 10.5 × 5.5″, 3 lb 8 oz cube for medic bags and aid bags; once opened, the HRS deploys to its full 78 × 43″ coverage, encapsulating the patient head to toe. Reinforced and weight-tested to support 250+ lb.
Why This Kit
Active Heat, No Power
Oxygen-activated liner runs 10 hrs with no battery or external source.
360° Access
Continuous hook-and-loop lets you treat without un-wrapping.
Wind & Rain Proof
4-ply reflective composite shell blocks radiant loss and weather.
Low-Cube Carry
Vacuum-packed to 3 lb 8 oz; deploys to full 78 × 43″.
Kit Contents
| Qty | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Heat Reflective Shell (HRS™) with built-in hood & fluid-absorption pad |
| 1 | Self-heating shell liner (oxygen-activated, 10 hrs continuous dry heat) |
| 1 | Plastic vacuum bag (low-cube packaging) |
Who Fields It
Combat & tactical medics — TACEVAC hypothermia control
SAR & wilderness EMS — active warming in the cold
Aid-bag builders — the lethal-triad hypothermia answer
Pair It Up
Up Close
Beat The Cold Leg Of The Triad.
Genuine North American Rescue, shipped from a clinician-founded, veteran-led team.
Genuine North American Rescue
Sourced direct from North American Rescue.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | North American Rescue |
| SKU | 80-0027 |
| NSN | 6515-01-532-8056 |
| CoTCCC Status | CoTCCC-recommended for hypothermia prevention during casualty care |
| HRS Construction | 4-ply composite fabric, non-conductive reflective layer |
| Heat Duration | 10 hrs continuous dry heat (oxygen-activated, no power) |
| Access Closure | 360° continuous 1.5″ hook-and-loop |
| Hood | Built-in hood with fluid-absorption pad |
| Weight Rating | 250+ lb supported |
| Packaged Dimensions | H 6.75″ × W 10.5″ × D 5.5″ |
| Packaged Weight | 3 lb 8 oz |
| HRS Open Dimensions | 78″ L × 43″ W |
| Packaging | Vacuum-packaged; NAR Red Tip Technology® |
When to Choose the NAR HPMK
HPMK Contents (SKU: 80-0027, NSN: 6515-01-532-8056):
- 1× Heat Reflective Shell (HRS™) — 4-ply composite fabric with aluminized reflective layer and built-in hood; opens to 78 in. × 43 in.; 1.5 in. continuous hook-and-loop perimeter closures; reinforced to support 250+ lb
- 1× Self-heating shell liner — oxygen-activated; provides up to 10 hours of continuous dry heat with no external power source
- 1× Plastic vacuum bag — moisture vapor barrier layer
Packaged: H 6.75 in. × W 10.5 in. × D 5.5 in. | Weight: 3 lb 8 oz. Vacuum-packaged with Red-Tip Technology tabs. NAR also offers the HPMK-I (Insulated) variant with enhanced HRS shell and Ready Heat 4 Cell Blanket — verify which variant your protocol requires.
- TCCC Hypothermia Prevention (H in MARCH) — the HPMK is CoTCCC-recommended and addresses all three heat-loss mechanisms: radiation (aluminized HRS), convection (HRS outer shell), and conduction (vacuum barrier bag). A space blanket only addresses radiation.
- Post-hemorrhage shock management — hemorrhagic shock and hypothermia are mutually reinforcing. Every significant trauma casualty is a hypothermia risk regardless of ambient temperature. Stage the HPMK in every trauma bag alongside hemostatic agents.
- CASEVAC / TACEVAC patient packaging — the 10-hour self-heating liner maintains normothermia throughout the golden hour evacuation window. The 360° hook-and-loop perimeter allows full casualty access without full unwrapping.
- Wilderness, SAR, and mass-casualty staging — the hook-and-loop perimeter enables one provider to rapidly wrap and access multiple casualties. Reinforced to 250+ lb for safe litter use.
- Cold and wet environmental trauma — the integrated HRS hood provides cranial heat retention; the vacuum bag provides moisture vapor barrier below the patient; the aluminized shell prevents radiant loss from all surfaces.
Deployment sequence: 1. Activate the self-heating liner (oxygen-activated — open and allow 30–60 seconds). 2. Place liner on patient torso. 3. Position the vacuum bag below the patient as a moisture barrier. 4. Wrap the HRS over the patient and seal the perimeter. Sequence matters — liner must contact the patient, not the outer HRS shell.
The Lethal Triad: Hypothermia + coagulopathy + acidosis are mutually reinforcing. Core temp below 34°C impairs the coagulation cascade. Below 32°C, coagulation failure becomes catastrophic. Hypothermia prevention is not a comfort measure — it is a survival intervention.
HPMK vs. Common Alternatives
HPMK vs. Emergency Space Blanket (foil only): A basic mylar space blanket addresses only radiant heat loss — one mechanism. The HPMK addresses three: radiation (HRS), convection (HRS shell), and conduction (vacuum barrier). Plus an active heat source for up to 10 hours. For TCCC-compliant hypothermia management, a foil space blanket alone is insufficient for severe trauma casualties.
HPMK (80-0027) vs. HPMK-I (Insulated): The HPMK-I is an updated variant with an enhanced insulated HRS shell and Ready Heat 4 Cell Blanket, developed to meet newer CoTCCC hypothermia guidelines. The standard HPMK (80-0027) remains CoTCCC-recommended and is the NSN-stocked version. Check your unit's current CoTCCC card to confirm which variant is specified.
HPMK vs. Ready-Heat Blanket: Both are CoTCCC-acknowledged active warming tools. The HPMK is the NSN-issued standard (6515-01-532-8056). Ready-Heat blankets are used within the HPMK-I system as an active warming layer. Either standalone product is acceptable per TCCC guidelines.
HPMK vs. NAR Survival Wrap: The Survival Wrap is a passive radiant blanket — no active heat source, no vapor barrier. Use the HPMK for TCCC trauma casualties. Use the Survival Wrap as a supplement to the HPMK or for lower-acuity hypothermia prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the lethal triad and why does the HPMK address it?
A: The lethal triad in trauma is hypothermia, coagulopathy (inability to clot), and acidosis. These three conditions potentiate each other: hypothermia worsens clotting, coagulopathy worsens hemorrhage, hemorrhage drives acidosis. The HPMK directly prevents hypothermia, breaking the first link. That is why CoTCCC places hypothermia prevention at 'H' in MARCH — it is not optional in severe trauma care.
Q: Does the HPMK work in warm climates?
A: Yes. Trauma-induced hypothermia can occur at ambient temperatures above 70°F. Hemorrhagic shock causes peripheral vasoconstriction and impaired thermoregulation — the body loses core heat even in warm environments. The HPMK is indicated for all trauma casualties with significant hemorrhage regardless of ambient temperature.
Q: How long does the self-heating liner stay active?
A: The oxygen-activated self-heating liner provides up to 10 hours of continuous dry heat — no external power source required. Activate by opening the packaging and allowing 30–60 seconds for the reaction to initiate before placing it against the patient's torso. Do not activate until ready to use — opening the package triggers the reaction.
Q: Is the HPMK single-use?
A: Yes. The self-heating liner is a one-time chemical heat source. The HRS and vacuum barrier bag are also single-use for contamination control. Do not stage an opened or partially-used HPMK — replace after any activation.
Q: What is the NSN and does MED-TAC support government procurement?
A: NSN: 6515-01-532-8056 for the standard HPMK. MED-TAC is SDVOSB-certified — we support government purchase orders, set-aside pricing, and SDVOSB-specific procurement. Contact orders@tactical-medicine.com for terms and bulk fulfillment.
Related searches: NAR HPMK, hypothermia prevention management kit, Heat Reflective Shell, CoTCCC hypothermia, self-heating casualty blanket, NSN 6515-01-532-8056, TACEVAC hypothermia
All products sourced direct from North American Rescue. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
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