The slogan in emergency medical services is "you're not dead until you're warm and dead". The Vermont EMS 2020 protocols give a lot of information about when it's appropriate to not start CPR, which is essentially the same as deciding the patient is dead. Part of this gives an idea of how severe the situation has to be before EMS gives up:
"Contraindications to CPR in the hypothermic patient include: Obvious signs of irreversible death, chest wall not compressible as whole body is frozen solid, a valid DNR order, avalanche burial > 35 minutes and airway packed with snow, or rescuers exhausted or in danger."
https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/DEPRIP.HL_.2020%20Protocols%202020%20June%205%20Hyperlinked%20FINAL.pdf
(page 38) |
