Definition & Operational Usage of Jacketed Patient
What Is Jacketed Patient?
A jacketed patient refers to a trauma or medical casualty wrapped in thermal insulation layers — such as hypothermia wraps, fleece liners, vapor barriers, or space blankets — to prevent heat loss and combat the lethal trauma triad (hypothermia, coagulopathy, acidosis).
Why Jacketed Patient Matters on the Fireground
Trauma patients rapidly lose core body temperature due to blood loss, wet clothing, exposed skin, and cold ambient air. Hypothermia impairs blood clotting cascades below 35°C (95°F), dramatically increasing mortality. Jacketing secures heat retention during extrication and transport.
Relevant NFPA Standards
- NREMT Standards: National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Practice Standards
- NFPA 455: Standard for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Field Procedures & Tactical Steps
- Remove all wet clothing from the patient immediately upon reaching a warm environment.
- Apply an inner moisture-wicking layer, followed by active warming pads (chemical heat packs placed at groin/axilla).
- Wrap patient in heavy thermal blankets or fleece insulation layers.
- Enclose the insulated patient inside a windproof/waterproof outer vapor barrier (hypothermia bag or tarp).
- Monitor core body temperature continuously and transport in a heated ambulance cabin.
Common Context & Application
Applied during wilderness rescue, prolonged extrications, cold weather EMS calls, water rescues, and severe hemorrhagic trauma calls.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jacketed Patient
Why must wet clothing be removed before hypothermia packaging?
Where should active heat packs be applied on a hypothermic patient?
Other Names for Jacketed Patient
Jacketed Patient may also appear in training materials, NFPA standards, or department SOPs as: restrained patient, secured patient.
Relevant Tools
Operational calculators related to Jacketed Patient: