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WISHLIST
The recent storm that swept across the United States brought snow, bitter cold, ice, and sleet to over half the US. Millions of people were left without power, and roads became impassable for days.
Storms like this, as well as smaller, fast-moving snowstorms, are more than logistical nightmares. They can threaten the safety of providers and patients and degrade the very equipment you rely on to save lives.
Winter EMS operations demand more than extra layers and a backup bag. They require a deliberate approach to gear selection and medication protection, as well as crew safety.
Safety and medical professionals must account for how freezing temperatures affect every aspect of prehospital care. That’s why preparing your EMS gear for winter weather is crucial.
Let’s look at some practical strategies EMS crews can use to stay mission-ready when temperatures drop.
Low temperatures can quickly lead to a list of equipment problems – many of which crews may not anticipate until they're on scene and something fails. Getting ahead of these vulnerabilities is the first step toward preventing them.
Catheters, IV tubing, nasopharyngeal airways, and other polymer-based supplies can crack or lose their flexibility when exposed to freezing temperatures for even short periods.
A stiff NPA that won't conform properly or IV tubing that fractures under pressure creates immediate patient care problems.
Masks and suction devices have rubber and silicone seals that can stiffen in cold conditions. Often imperceptible, these issues can compromise the seal quality, which isn’t acceptable for tools you depend on for ventilation and airway management.
Your gear is full of devices that rely on charged batteries. Cardiac monitors, defibrillators, suction units, pulse oximeters, and even portable radios can fail to work properly when the temperatures drop.
For instance, a monitor showing 80% charge in a warm station may drop to critical levels after 30 minutes of cold exposure. Some may decline slowly, but not always. Cold batteries can fail suddenly and without warning.
Any gear or tool that relies on moving parts can begin to operate erratically (or fail completely) at certain temperatures.
Things such as power cots, stretchers, suction units, or other gear that depend on lubricants and motors can struggle in the cold. This can become even more dangerous if you’re attempting to move a patient on icy surfaces.
No matter the weather, having the right bag makes a huge difference in outcomes.
EMS bags serve as the first line of defense against cold-related equipment failures. If a bag has thin fabric or is poorly insulated, cold can be transmitted quickly to fluids and medications. If the bag is set down in snow or slush, it can soak through and expose contents to moisture.
Zippers and hardware on the bag aren’t immune to the cold either. Standard zippers can freeze shut or ice up, making it hard to access critical supplies.
That’s why choosing weather-resistant bags with coated materials, storm flaps, and oversized zipper pulls – like the Kemp USA tarpaulin fluid-resistant EMS backpack – is built to overcome these issues, no matter the external conditions.
But it’s more than just the bag’s materials that matter. Disorganized compartments can slow you down and force you to rummage through different parts of your bag – all while the cold continues to impact a patient, the crew, and the supplies inside the bag. crews to open bags
A structured internal layout minimizes open time and keeps temperature-sensitive items protected.
In cold temperatures, few things are more at risk than IV fluids and medications. Yet for EMS professionals, these are two of the most important items you’ll carry on your person.
Research shows that infusing even room-temperature fluids into a hypothermic patient can make their condition worse. For patients already cold from environmental exposure, cold fluids make the risks even higher.
But this is a challenge that goes beyond patient warming. Any tools or items you have – think IV sets, saline locks, and flushes – can freeze solid in unheated ambulance compartments. This can leave you without your most important tools at the worst moment.
Following your medical director's protocols, warm a limited number of IV bags using approved methods (controlled microwave or warming cabinet).
Most guidelines typically cap warming at approximately 40-41°C to avoid hemolysis or patient burns. Place the warmed bags immediately into insulated storage.
Another way to keep fluids warm is by storing bags in an insulated pouch or dedicated compartment within your EMS bag.
You can find insulated pouches that are built to integrate into standard bag layouts and can maintain fluid temperature significantly longer than uninsulated storage. Premium EMS backpacks with structured compartments are key to helping you make organization easier.
You can also keep temperature-sensitive supplies in a heated space in your vehicle rather than unheated exterior compartments.
Studies have shown that placing IV bags in front of a vehicle dashboard defroster vent can raise fluid temperature to clinically useful levels. This is another simple technique that requires no additional equipment.
Warmed IV bags cool over time. Don’t try to rush the process and risk the contents. During extended cold-weather incidents, periodically rotate warmed bags from the vehicle to your insulated pouch to maintain useful temperatures.
Liquids aren’t the only items to keep in mind in cold temperatures.
Many medications have specific storage temperature ranges, and freezing can cause medications to precipitate or lose potency. Some can even become unsafe, particularly biologics and some analgesics.
There are some practical medication protection strategies you can put in place:
Placing vials and pre-filled syringes in close-to-body pockets during operations
Use insulated medication organizers
Audit medication for evidence of freezing (crystals, color change, or precipitation) per local protocols
Standardized medical supply packs can help agencies create consistent winter loadouts that keep all of your medications organized and protected, no matter the temperatures.
When you are safe as a provider, you increase the chances of patient safety. That’s why you need personal protective equipment that is built for winter conditions.
Remember, protecting your crew isn't just about comfort. You’re investing in maintaining the clinical performance your patients depend on.
The standard layering approach works for EMS with some modifications.
Start with a moisture-wicking base layer that pulls sweat away from the skin. This is critical when you're alternating between physical exertion and standing in cold conditions.
Add an insulating mid-layer (fleece or similar) for warmth
Top it off with a wind- and water-resistant outer shell
Some EMS-specific demands may require extra attention. For example, insulated outerwear must still permit access to radios, shears, pockets, and bag straps. Look for EMS-specific or tactical outerwear designed with these requirements in mind.
Head and face protection reduces significant heat loss and protects against windburn and frostbite. Insulated hats, balaclavas, and face masks should be part of every winter kit.
Remember that the head accounts for substantial heat loss! So keep your head covered at all times to stay warm.
Hand protection requires a bit more strategy.
A thin liner glove provides dexterity for patient contact tasks, with a thicker insulated glove or mitten for warmth between interventions.
Many experienced crews "stage" by wearing liner gloves just before patient contact, then re-insulating immediately afterward.
Footwear matters more than many realize. Invest in warm, waterproof boots with higher levels of traction. These can reduce slips on ice and keep feet dry during extended outdoor operations.
Also, it’s just plain smart! Wet, cold feet are more than uncomfortable – and they're a pathway to hypothermia and injury.
In cold conditions, you need a plan for how to keep people and materials safe. That’s why you should create and maintain regular cycles where crews rotate to a warm environment.
These moments are a great time tocheck vitals, consume warm fluids, and change into dry clothing if needed.
Watch for early hypothermia signs in each other. Signs such as shivering, clumsiness, slowed speech, and poor decision-making mean it's time to put your plan into action.
Another note: EMS bags designed for winter operations should be designed to be used with gloved hands. That means oversized zipper pulls and structured internal compartments that can be accessed without removing gloves.
Where and how you store equipment between calls is just as important as how you protect items when on a call.
In cold weather, those exterior ambulance compartments and unheated bays start to function as freezers, exposing gear to the same temperatures as the outside environment.
To prevent this, park indoors whenever possible. Even an unheated garage provides some protection from wind chill and precipitation.
When indoor parking isn't available, use block heaters and ensure the vehicle's climate system can adequately warm the patient compartment.
On scene, keep crews in the rig or another warm environment until needed. Minimize time standing idle in the elements, as this can keep you better protected and prepared to act in the moment.
Keeping your EMS tools and items safe isn’t rocket science – you just need the right strategy ahead of time.
Design your bag layout so winter-specific items (thermal blankets, extra gloves, chemical hand warmers, traction devices, and high-calorie snacks) are all easy to get to without unpacking the entire bag.
Look for EMS bags and professional trauma bags that are designed for field conditions, as these have a much higher likelihood of maintaining their integrity through repeated exposure to wet, cold environments.
Agencies should consider standardizing a "winter loadout" checklist that crews review at the start of each cold-weather shift. This helps keep everyone on the same standardized page.
Winter calls will often involve patients who have some degree of cold exposure. Whether the exposure is the reason for the EMS visit or just a result of waiting, you need to have the right warming supplies on hand.
Mylar foil emergency thermal blankets provide compact, lightweight heat retention for initial patient contact.
For longer-term warming, wool blankets and fleece blankets offer excellent warmth that can perform even when damp. Emergency relief blankets are another great warming tool to always keep on hand.
Remember: Winter preparation is an ongoing process, not a one-time checklist.
Agencies that approach cold-weather operations systematically perform better when conditions deteriorate. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Conduct pre-season readiness checks. Inspect bags for worn fabric and compromised zippers. Verify insulation integrity. Test all battery-powered devices in cold conditions and replace suspect batteries before they fail in the field.
Update protocols for cold-related emergencies. Ensure your hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide protocols are current, and that equipment and medications align with those protocols.
Train in realistic conditions. Cold-weather drills that include carrying gear through snow, packaging patients on icy surfaces, and working in low-light conditions reveal bag layout issues and equipment vulnerabilities that classroom training can't identify.
Add quick-reference resources. A laminated winter checklist inside each primary EMS bag helps crews verify loadout completeness even under pressure. Standardized medical supply packs make it easier to maintain consistency across crews and shifts.
Winter EMS operations test every aspect of prehospital care. Not only do you need to protect yourself and your patient from the elements, but you must keep a careful eye on your EMS bag and the things that help you perform at your best.
The good news is that success in the winter can be planned for. With a bit of preparation and the right EMS gear, you and your team can maintain the same standard of care in January as they deliver in July.
Treat winter readiness as a system. When all these elements work together, your team stays ready to deliver exceptional patient care no matter what the weather brings.
Want to learn more about EMS supplies and tips for how to stay safe and effective all year long? Kemp USA is proud to offer the top EMS bags and equipment that keep medical professionals operating in all kinds of scenarios.
Browse our catalog online and keep your team stocked with the best protective gear and equipment on the market today.
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