Impromptu ice bath helpful for exercise-induced heat stroke

Traditional cold-water immersion still remains the standard treatment for exertional heat stroke.

A tarp, volunteers and a lot of ice water can be used to rescue athletes and other people from heat stroke caused by exertion if a traditional ice bath is not available, according to a new study.

Researchers call the approach the “TACO method” because rescuers lift the edges of the tarp to form a taco shape and then pour ice water into the tarp to cool down the person with heat stroke.

Traditional cold-water immersion should still remain the standard treatment for exertional heat stroke, but the researchers say their impromptu method can be used in remote areas or emergency situations.