The Analytical Department and our automated systems process thousands of observations. For operational security reasons, the vast majority of reports are distributed solely to the Defence Forces of Ukraine. Only isolated, carefully selected fragments, cleared of in-depth analytics and key findings, are made available to the public.
Fundamental Actions for Hypothermia Prevention at the Pre-Hospital Stage
Incorrect application of CoTCCC protocols regarding heat loss prevention leads to hypothermia in casualties—a component of the 'lethal triad' that critically diminishes survival chances.
The Operational Challenge
An observation identified that tactical medicine instructors do not adequately cover hypothermia prevention. When teaching the 'H' (Hypothermia Prevention) step of the CoTCCC MARCH protocol, they frequently recommend a thin, single-layer space blanket (isofoil) as the primary, and sometimes sole, measure.
This item is ineffective during significant blood loss and low temperatures. Furthermore, its bright, reflective colour severely compromises operational security, exposing evacuation teams and casualty collection points to enemy UAV surveillance.
Analytical Assessment
According to CoTCCC guidelines, preventing hypothermia requires comprehensive foundational actions. Experts note that standard space blankets are only effective when the casualty's body temperature is normal. If a casualty is in haemorrhagic shock and failing to generate heat, the isofoil cannot retain temperature. Field tests with UAVs confirmed significant glare from standard blankets.
Current training programmes often create a false sense of security regarding the sufficiency of having an isofoil in an IFAK. This leads to the neglect of the core principle: Keep the casualty Warm, Dry, and Off the ground.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Training curricula must shift focus to the execution of a strict algorithm: isolate the casualty from the cold ground immediately, replace wet clothing with dry gear, and deploy multi-layered passive (e.g., Blizzard Survival Bag) and active (e.g., ReadyHeat) thermal blankets from the unit's CLS bag.
It is recommended to amend MoD regulations regarding IFAK contents: thermal blankets must feature a matte-green or camouflaged surface on at least one side, and the quantity should be increased to two units per kit to ensure full coverage of the casualty.