Influence of Helicopter Flight on Temperature of Helicopter EMS Crewmembers

Abstract Introduction Thermoregulation of critically ill patients during helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) transport can be influenced by the flight, increasing the risk of hypothermia. However, the literature is unclear as to whether temperature decrease among those patients is affected by the flight itself or by the patients' clinical status and therapies. We evaluated the effect of helicopter flight on the body temperature of the healthy members of the HEMS crew of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Italy. Methods From August 12 to September 3, 2009, and from February 12 to April 1, 2010, tympanic temperature was measured, on a voluntary basis, before and after the flight among the crewmembers. The effect of flight and personal characteristics on temperature after the flight was analyzed through multivariate regression. Results Ninety-five records were analyzed. On average, the temperature increased by 0.2 ± 0.5°C. In 29.5% of the cases, however, it decreased. The only factors that were significantly associated with the temperature after the flight were temperature at liftoff and mountain rescue flights. Conclusion Among healthy subjects, the helicopter vibrations may induce an increase in body temperature. Small sample size and lack of information on a number of potential confounders prevented the identification of the possible determinants of a temperature decrease among some subjects.