Hypothermia is a well-recognised risk in trauma — but are we taking it seriously enough? Following the recent publication of the paper “Hypothermia as a risk factor for injury outcome: Are we really serious?” in BMJ Military Health, Sarah O'Hare and Colin Smart sit down with co-authors Professor Tim Hodgetts and Dr Bart van Herwijnen to discuss the thinking behind the paper, why this subject matters, and what needs to change. This conversation isn’t intended to provide all the answers. We hope it helps spark further discussion, challenge current thinking and encourage a more serious outlook on the prevention and management of hypothermia — particularly in pre-hospital and operational environments.

Why is understanding the social structure of the people we care for important? Will it make a difference to the outcome of the care we provide, and is it something we should incorporate into our care plans to make a real difference?

We are honoured to speak with Colonol (Retired) David Bates ARRC BN MMedEd MPH SFHEA FIHSCM FRSPH MloD, Senior Lecturer at the University of Cumbria. David will take us through this subject, explaining why an understanding of social structure can help us provide optimal care wherever we work.

What happens when responders face subzero chaos? In this episode, Sergeant Rob Simpson shares frontline insights on how emergency services operate and train in extreme cold. It explores Simpson’s hands-on approach, particularly his innovative training exercise “Winter Storm,” aimed at stress-testing emergency response protocols in cold environments.