Guideline 9.3.3 – First Aid Management of Hypothermia and Cold-Related Injuries Updated
This guideline has been updated to cover the problem with rapid rewarming of non-freezing cold injuries. Importantly, Guideline 9.3.3 – Updated now reflects the latest evidence.
| Search date/s: | December 2024 |
| Question /PICOs: | Population: Adults, children and infants out of hospital with hypothermia or cold injury. According to Guideline 9.3.3, the updated recommendations apply to all these groups.
Intervention: Any method of treatment available to lay person (not HCP). Comparators: Any other method or none. The updated information from Guideline 9.3.3 is considered when evaluating these comparison groups. Outcomes: Improve survival to hospital discharge, length of stay, reduced complications or disabilities from cold injuries . Study Designs: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (non-randomized controlled trials, interrupted time series, controlled before-and-after studies, cohort studies) are eligible for inclusion. It is anticipated that there will be insufficient studies from which to draw a conclusion, hence case series may be included in the initial search. The minimum number of cases will be set by the lead author after discussion with the subcommittee. Grey literature and social media and non-peer reviewed studies, unpublished studies, conference abstracts and trial protocols are eligible for inclusion as well. All relevant publications in any language will be included as long as there is an English abstract. For clarity, the Updated Guideline 9.3.3 encompasses diverse study types. Timeframe: All years |
| Method: | Scoping search, see worksheet https://nzrc.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/EZSV83hAgdRBpRO-JML6M-0BIMySWgKBuwoKQMFZoXpGvQ?e=cPESPk. Moreover, Guideline 9.3.3 – Updated methodology provides a framework for this search. |
| Main Changes: | The problem with rapid rewarming of non-freezing cold injuries has been included.. These main changes can be found in Guideline 9.3.3 and are part of the Updated approach. |
| Primary reviewers: | Finlay Macneil, Solange Costermans, Jonathon Webber, Kevin Nation |
| Other consultation: | N/A |
| Worksheet: | N/A |
| Approved: | September 2025 |
| Guideline superseded | 9.3.3 Aug 2021 |
