What is the North American Rescue Heat Reflective Shell (HRS™) used for?
The HRS™ is a thermal casualty wrap designed to prevent hypothermia during field casualty care, transport, and evacuation. Hypothermia is a component of the lethal trauma triad (hypothermia, coagulopathy, acidosis) and significantly impairs clotting. The HRS™ encapsulates the patient in a 4-ply composite shell with a non-conductive reflective inner layer to retain radiant body heat from the point of injury through definitive care.
How is the Reinforced HRS™ different from a standard emergency blanket?
Unlike single-layer foil emergency blankets, the HRS™ uses a 4-ply composite construction with a protected reflective layer, making it far more durable and functional in field conditions. It features a 1.5-inch continuous Velcro® closure for 360° patient access without removing the wrap, a built-in hood to reduce head heat loss, an integrated fluid absorption pad, and is reinforced to support patient drag or litter use up to 250+ lb — capabilities no standard space blanket provides.
Can the HRS™ remain in place during medical interventions?
Yes. The 1.5-inch continuous Velcro® closures run the full length of the shell, allowing the provider to open any section locally for IV access, wound reassessment, or additional interventions while the rest of the wrap remains sealed around the patient. This is a critical design advantage over traditional wraps that must be fully removed for access.
Who manufactures the Heat Reflective Shell?
The HRS™ is manufactured by North American Rescue® (NAR), headquartered in Greer, South Carolina. NAR is the leading tactical medical equipment manufacturer in the United States, supplying the majority of combat trauma kits to U.S. military and law enforcement. The HRS™ is part of NAR's extended standard-of-care casualty care product line.
Is the Reinforced HRS™ suitable for both military and civilian EMS use?
Yes. The HRS™ is used across military, law enforcement tactical medicine, and civilian EMS contexts. Its rugged 4-ply construction, 250+ lb weight rating, and continuous Velcro® access closures make it suitable for harsh field conditions, while the intuitive hood-and-wrap design allows effective use by both trained medics and combat lifesavers. It is a standard thermal management component in many military CLS bags and tactical IFAK systems.
Is the Reinforced Heat Reflective Shell CoTCCC-recommended for hypothermia prevention?
CoTCCC guidelines identify hypothermia prevention as a critical intervention in TCCC (prevent hypothermia from the point of injury forward). The HRS family — including the Reinforced version — is specifically referenced in CoTCCC guidelines as the standard wrapping method for field hypothermia prevention. Consult your unit medical authority for current CoTCCC hypothermia management protocol.
Can the Reinforced HRS be used in combination with blood warming systems?
Yes. Wrapping the patient in the Reinforced HRS while administering QUANTUM-warmed blood or IV fluids provides both external and internal thermal support for hypothermia management. This combination is consistent with CoTCCC prolonged field care hypothermia prevention guidelines.
Is the Reinforced HRS single-use or reusable?
The Reinforced HRS is designed for single-patient use in clinical scenarios. The reinforced construction extends its usability compared to standard emergency blankets, but hygiene and contamination considerations apply for field medical use. Replace after each patient use.
What is the NSN for the Reinforced Heat Reflective Shell?
Contact MED-TAC International for current NSN, pricing, and government procurement vehicle availability for the Reinforced HRS. The standard and reinforced variants have separate NSN listings in the North American Rescue catalog.
How does the Reinforced HRS hold up in rain and wet environments?
The Reinforced HRS is waterproof — the heat-reflective material does not absorb water and maintains its thermal barrier function when wet. This makes it appropriate for wet tropical, maritime, and rain-soaked environments where standard fabric blankets become ineffective when wet.
