Nereus Medical
Our mission is to provide organisations with effective, evidence based and innovative products, solutions and strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and management of heat illness in sport, high risk occupational settings and the military.
Our founder, Dr Ross Hemingway OBE, recognised the requirement for a lightweight, portable and robust system to enable the rapid cooling of patients who have developed heat stroke. The system, the Ice-Cold Water Immersion Kit (I-CWIK®) has been designed for use by medical teams across a wide range of environments. This includes mass sporting events, elite sporting competitions, hospitals, emergency medical services, high risk occupational environments and the military.
I-CWIK®
Ice-Cold Water Immersion Kit
The I-CWIK® is a portable, robust PVC bag for use in environments and situations where the risk of heat illness is increased, and the gold standard of treatment using cold water immersion is required as a key capability. The design with YKK AQUASEAL® waterproof zips, adjustable volume, carry straps, novel emptying system and fully customisable colour design to match your brand, makes it an indispensable piece of equipment for these teams.
The I-CWIK has been manufactured using only the highest quality materials and components from leading UK manufactures. This ensures the I-CWIK can be relied upon in the most demanding and arduous environments.
Buckles
The YKK Shockonloc® dual adjustment buckles provide toughness and reliability during ice cold water immersion of patients. Manufactured from high-grade polyacetal, the buckles provide strength and durability against impact and resist water absorption in the most extreme environmental conditions.
AQUASEAL Zips
Both of the I-CWIK’s zips are YKK’s AQUASEAL® lightweight fully waterproof zips combining VISLON® technology, which allows for easy and smooth operation with protection in critical medical situations. The plastic and stainless sliders have high resistance to corrosion in the most extreme of conditions.
Carry Straps
The 4 sets of carry straps manufactured by the leading UK webbing manufacturer WISLA, are 50mm width filament polyester with a minimum breaking strength of 3000kg and impregnated with antimicrobial and antifungal coatings to reduce contamination and colonisation risk from common microbes.
Nereus Medical is proud to partner with Montrose Rope and Sail Ltd. Founded in 1789, to serve the Scottish fishing fleets they are now. renowned as the leading tarpaulin manufacturer in Scotland where their quality craftsmanship is trusted by companies globally. The I-CWIK is expertly handmade at their factory in Scotland by their skilled craftspeople, using the latest 21st-century tarpaulin technology. This ensures each I-CWIK is manufactured to the highest quality standard for all our customers.
Is the I-CWIK reusable?
Yes.
Does the I-CWIK fit on a standard ‘ambulance stretcher’?
Yes, the ICWIK has been designed to fit onto industry standard emergency medical stretchers, baskets and trolleys.
How do you clean the I-CWIK?
After use, the I-CWIK should be rinsed with luke warm water and cleaned with a 0.5% Chlorine Solution and then allowed to naturally dry at room temperature (18-25C).
However, if the I-CWIK becomes heavily contaminated with body fluids such as faeces, blood and vomit it should be disposed as clinical waste in accordance with the local regulations.
After cleaning the AQUASEAL zippers YKK we recommend the application of either a lubricant or paraffin wax to maintain the proper waterproof performance. More specific details on maintenance of the zippers can be found on the Official YKK site
How should I store the I-CWIK?
Store in dry, cool dark room between 10-25 C.
Roll gently from the bottom zipper, taking care not to fold the zippers.
Enclose in the Nereus Medical I-CWIK container bag.
Store with the zipper completely closed. The storage in an opened position for long period will cause zipper bending.
Please store in the Nereus Medical I-CWIK container bag.
Does the I-CWIK have a warranty?
Yes – 1 year from date of purchase.
What if notice a fault with the I-CWIK?
Please email sales@nereusmedical.com with name, address, date of purchase, serial number (found under the top lifting strap). Please provide a summary of the issue and attach photographs if possibl;e. We will aim to respond with 3-5 working days.
Warning
The I-CWIK should not be left in direct sunlight as this will cause the PVC, internal seals and zips to prematurely degrade and null the warranty.
The I-CWIK should only be use by medical personnel competent in the management of patients with exertional collapse, hyperthermia and hypothermia.
The I-CWIK should not be used on persons under 16 years old.
Persons should be monitored continuously when cold water immersion treatment is being performed with the I-CWIK. Under no circumstances should patients be left unattended due to the risk of drowning and death.
Extreme care and vigilance should be taken to prevent patient’s being submerged in the I-CWIK as this could risk drowning and death.
After use, the I-CWIK should be cleaned with warm water and cleaned with 0.5% chlorine solution and rinsed thoroughly. The I-CWIK should be air dried before storage.
However, if the I-CWIK becomes heavily contaminated with body fluids such as faeces, blood and vomit, it should be disposed as clinical waste in accordance with the local regulations.
"Amazing product, superb quality. You know youcan depend on I-CWIK in an emergency!"
John Doe, United Kingdom
Exertional Heat Illness
Heat-related deaths in Europe between 30 May and 4 September 2022
Mortality rates for Exertional Heat Stroke
Survival in those treated with Ice-Cold water Immersion in road races and the military
Recreational and elite athletes, military personnel and certain specific occupations are all at risk of developing exertional heat illness (EHI). Although more common in hot and humid environments, EHI also occurs in cooler conditions and temperate climates.
EHI encompasses a spectrum of illness from exertional heat exhaustion to exertional heat injury to exertional heat stroke. Initial signs and symptoms may include fatigue, nausea and dizziness which may proceed to confusion, agitation and collapse and ultimately seizures, cardiac arrest and death.
The most severe form of the illness, known as exertional heat stroke (EHS) needs to be recognised immediately in order to commence the most effective treatment. International scientific and medical consensus supports cold water immersion has the gold standard treatment modality of choice in those who develop EHS. Rapid and effective whole-body cooling dramatically decreases the duration of the hypothermia and therefore significantly reduces the risk of death or permanent disability.