Hypothermia Prevention & Management Kit INSULATED (HPMK-I)

The patent-pending HRS-I shell adds Climashield insulation to the 5-ply composite construction, so the shell traps heat on its own — not just reflecting radiant warmth but insulating against convective and conductive loss in extreme cold. Inside, a 4-Cell Ready Heat blanket replaces the standard liner with sustained, oxygen-activated dry heat across the body for up to 10 hours, with no preparation: it activates on exposure to air. A built-in insulated hood covers the head and neck, and 1.5 in. continuous hook-and-loop gives 360° access to reassess wounds without un-packaging the patient.

Insulated shell plus 10 hours of active dry heat — the CoTCCC-recommended HPMK platform, built for arctic and alpine casualties.

When to Deploy the NAR HPMK Insulated

• Prolonged Field Care in Cold / Arctic Environments: When a casualty cannot be evacuated within the golden hour in sub-zero or near-freezing conditions, the HPMK-I's insulated liner combined with the Ready-Heat® 4-cell active heat source provides sustained active rewarming — not just passive insulation — to prevent or reverse trauma-induced hypothermia.
• CASEVAC / MEDEVAC in Cold Weather Operations: Rotary wing and ground transport expose casualties to significant wind chill and cold. The HPMK-I's Heat Reflective Shell deflects radiant loss, the insulated liner traps air warmth, and the active Ready-Heat® source prevents core temperature drop during extended transport.
• Severe Trauma Hypothermia Management (Lethal Triad): Trauma patients develop coagulopathy, acidosis, and hypothermia together — each worsening the others. The HPMK-I addresses the hypothermia leg of the triad with active heat generation, essential when hemorrhage control and airway management alone cannot reverse coagulopathy caused by cold.
• Mountain Rescue / High-Altitude Evacuation: Wilderness EMS and mountain rescue teams operating above treeline or in winter terrain carry the HPMK-I as the primary casualty thermal management tool. Its robust outer shell resists wind and moisture; the insulated liner maintains warmth during long-carry evacuations.
• Battalion Aid Station / Forward Surgical Team Staging: Medical teams staging for extended combat or training operations in cold climates stock the HPMK-I over the standard HPMK for sustained warming capability. The insulated configuration reduces Ready-Heat® consumption rate by retaining generated heat more effectively.
• Cold-Water Immersion Casualty Management: In maritime or river-crossing accidents, casualties emerge wet and at high risk of rapid core temperature collapse. The HPMK-I's Ready-Heat® 4-cell blanket activates immediately upon contact with water vapor — including wet clothing — making it effective for immersion casualty rewarming without the requirement to dry the patient first.

How the HPMK-I Compares to Other Hypothermia Solutions

HPMK-I vs. Standard HPMK: The standard HPMK includes the Heat Reflective Shell (HRS) and the Ready-Heat® II 2-cell chemical heat blanket. The HPMK-I upgrades the active heat source to a Ready-Heat® 4-cell blanket with significantly greater total heat output and adds an insulated inner liner between the heat source and the HRS. For environments below freezing or prolonged field care beyond 4 hours, the HPMK-I is the CoTCCC-preferred configuration. View the full hypothermia prevention line at tactical-medicine.com.

HPMK-I vs. NAR Heat Reflective Shell (HRS only): The HRS provides passive radiant heat retention; it deflects radiant heat loss but generates no heat of its own. The HPMK-I adds the insulated liner and activated Ready-Heat® 4-cell blanket for active rewarming. In casualties who are already hypothermic (core temp <35°C), passive wraps alone cannot reverse hypothermia — active heat is required. The HRS serves as the shell of the HPMK-I system, not a substitute for it.

HPMK-I vs. SOF Tactical Blizzard Blanket: The Blizzard SOF Tactical is a 4-layer passive wrap without an active heat source. It outperforms a standard mylar space blanket but cannot match the active heat generation of the HPMK-I system in cold casualties. For CoTCCC-compliant protocols specifying active hypothermia management, the HPMK system is the referenced solution. Compare at tactical-medicine.com.

HPMK-I vs. Thermal Angel / IV Fluid Warmer: IV fluid warmers prevent iatrogenic hypothermia from cold resuscitation fluids — a separate mechanism from the HPMK-I's whole-body heat retention and generation. In prolonged field care, both are used in combination: HPMK-I for core thermal management, IV warmers for fluid administration. They are complementary, not competing.

HPMK-I vs. Vacuum Mattress / Hypothermia Wrap: Vacuum mattresses provide immobilization plus insulation for spinal precautions. The HPMK-I is faster to deploy, lighter, and adds active heat rather than passive insulation. For hemorrhagic shock patients who are not spinal precautions, the HPMK-I is the preferred thermal intervention prior to vacuum mattress application.

HPMK Insulated — Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the HPMK-I differ from the standard HPMK?

A: The HPMK Insulated (HPMK-I) differs from the standard HPMK in two key ways: (1) it includes a Ready-Heat® 4-cell chemical heat blanket rather than the 2-cell Ready-Heat® II in the standard HPMK, providing roughly double the total heat output and longer active heating duration; and (2) it adds a quilted insulated inner liner between the heat source and the outer Heat Reflective Shell, reducing heat loss to the environment and retaining generated warmth more effectively. The HPMK-I is the preferred configuration for sub-freezing environments and prolonged field care scenarios.

Q: What is the CoTCCC guidance on hypothermia prevention?

A: The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) includes hypothermia prevention as the 'H' step in the MARCH protocol (Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia). CoTCCC recommends using the HPMK or equivalent active rewarming system for combat casualties. The HPMK-I, using the Ready-Heat® 4-cell blanket within the HRS, aligns with this guidance for cold-environment prolonged field care. Current CoTCCC guidelines should be reviewed at narescue.com or the PHTLS/TCCC curriculum.

Q: How long does the Ready-Heat self-heater in the HPMK-I last?

A: The Ready-Heat® 4-cell blanket in the HPMK-I produces heat for approximately 8 hours after activation. Activation occurs via contact with moisture (including perspiration or wet clothing) or by folding and shaking the blanket. The 4-cell configuration in the HPMK-I provides a longer active heat duration than the 2-cell Ready-Heat® II in the standard HPMK, making it better suited for prolonged field care environments where evacuation may be significantly delayed.

Q: Can the HPMK-I be reused?

A: The outer Heat Reflective Shell (HRS) and the insulated inner liner components of the HPMK-I are designed to be reusable and can be decontaminated. The Ready-Heat® 4-cell chemical heat blanket is single-use — once activated, it cannot be reloaded. Field units staging the HPMK-I for multiple patients should stock replacement Ready-Heat® 4-cell blankets, as the HRS and liner components do not require replacement after each use.

Q: Does the HPMK-I have a National Stock Number (NSN)?

A: North American Rescue products including the HPMK family have been assigned NSNs for military and government procurement. Contact MED-TAC International (marco@t-medical.org) or North American Rescue directly for current NSN, CAGE code, and contract vehicle information applicable to the HPMK-I. Civilian and EMS purchasers can order directly through tactical-medicine.com without government procurement requirements.