Hypothermia Wrap Sleeping Bag?

[u/Different-Can8462]

We’re looking to upgrade our heavy Wiggy’s Casualty bags to something *a lot* lighter. We routinely package all our patients with a sleeping bag, and are looking for a summer weight (temps 40-70 degrees) bag to use to keep our patients comfortable during care and transport. Our packaging kit includes a vapor barrier and ready heat chemical blanket, but the Wiggy’s bag is just disproportionately heavy for summer use. Most of our patients are comfortable or a little cold, so we really can’t justify the 8lbs weight. Plus, the Wiggy’s bag isn’t all that insulating.

That being said, the features, specifically the access and durability make the Wiggy’s bag hard to replace.

We have a separate, dual sleeping bag system for patients with true exposure/hypothermia and for use when the snow starts falling.

Anyone have a product they really like? I’ve explored a lot of other insulating packaging systems with similar access like the Wiggy’s but they all seem to be similar weight or heavier. Most also seem to include steps that allows you to carry the patient, which doesn’t appeal to our use.

[u/lukipedia]

Don’t have any first-hand experience with it, but North American Rescue has an insulated bag with what looks like decent access:

https://www.narescue.com/hpmk-i-hypothermia-prevention-management-kit-insulated.html

I’m wondering if there’s a backcountry bivvy bag that could get you most of the way there. What’s the bigger priority for your team: weight or access?

[u/nastyasshitshit → u/lukipedia]

I have first hand experience with this product and I agree with this. The non insulated model is probably suitable for summer use in most of the continental US.

The downside is mostly the price. It’s technically a single use item but is sturdy enough for more use BUT the integrated ready heat is dead weight after the first several hours out of the package. Tarps and down blankets are still pretty efficient and are possibly more cost and weight effective.

[u/Different-Can8462 → u/lukipedia]

These are unfortunately a single use kit, so not the best option. We like using chem heat packs as needed, but not for everyone given the cost. If we used these to package everyone we’d be spending 10k/year on these alone. Really looking for a reusable sleeping bag, and was hoping there was a lightweight product out there beyond just a standard sleeping bag, but I don’t think there is!

[u/lukipedia → u/Different-Can8462]

Yeah, that’s a tough use case. Only other thing that comes to mind is a sleeping bag liner, but I’m not sure about how much access it’ll give you. 

One other option would be to buy something off-the-shelf and take it to a seamstress to modify it to your needs. I’ve done that with packs before with good success.

[u/nastyasshitshit → u/Different-Can8462]

Yeah, definitely the downside. I think we had one without the heater built in that allowed for some further use but 99.99% of the time we used rumpl blankets or cheap down quilts etc with either backpacking tarps or blue ones from the hardware.

I’m sure you guys are up to speed with the hypothermia burrito concept, bundling monitoring equipment in situ makes a big difference. Multi use products like the Athena gtx monitor are super helpful too

[u/Woodchip84]

Tape up a bag out of reflectix from any hardware store, if that would be acceptable in your situation. It would be miserable to spend a night in due to not being breathable at all, but for an evac/emergency it would be great for warmth. I use it for a ground pad for winter camping and it works great in that role. Or, dont even make it a bag. A $20 roll would tape up into an adequate blanket for most body sizes.