Story perspectives

Phoenix Firefighters Use Ice Bags to Cool Heatstroke Faster

8/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Phoenix firefighters deploy ice-filled bags to rapidly cool heat-stroke victims.
The bags cool patients three to five times faster than traditional methods, lowering brain-damage risk.
During summer, crews used the bags over 220 times, reducing core temperatures from 108-110°F to about 100-101°F.
Dr. Geoff Comp of Valleywise Health says faster cooling reduces mortality and organ failure.
Fire stations also stockpile ice at trailheads to treat overheated hikers on site.

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Story summary

Phoenix firefighters deploy ice-filled bags to rapidly cool heat-stroke victims.
The bags cool patients three to five times faster than traditional methods, lowering brain-damage risk.
During summer, crews used the bags over 220 times, reducing core temperatures from 108-110°F to about 100-101°F.
Dr. Geoff Comp of Valleywise Health says faster cooling reduces mortality and organ failure.
Fire stations also stockpile ice at trailheads to treat overheated hikers on site.