Natick Researcher Develops Golden Hour Ambulatory Rescue Pack For Soldiers

NATICK, MA—The "golden hour" is a term used to describe that 60 minutes that follows a battlefield wound during which medical treatment could be crucial for a soldier. A researcher at the Natick Soldier Research Center has developed the Golden Hour Ambulatory Rescue Pack, or "Golden HARP," to keep medical supplies cool in hot climates.

Ben Williams of the Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, has developed the Golden HARP as an upgrade kit for a HARP that was previously developed, according to the announcement.

"In places such as Iraq, average ambient temperatures can range from 95 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making it logistically difficult to provide warfighters in austere conditions proper on-site medical treatment," said the release. "Blood must be kept at temperatures from 39 degrees F to 46 degrees F, while IV bags may be stored at higher temperatures but must be cooled to between 77 degrees F and 98.6 degrees F before use."

"If you come under attack at a Combat Outpost, or while on the move, aren't going to get resupplied anytime soon, and medical evacuation is not an option … it would be great to have the Golden HARP available … just in case somebody gets hit," Williams said in a statement. "Now you have blood on-site, ready to go. If you have limited or no power, this may be your only solution for prolonged cold storage at that important time."

Golden HARP was designed specifically to meet new requirements generated by the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency, or USAMMA. Williams introduced the Golden HARP after two years of work and testing, and describes it as "a ruggedized, man-transportable platform that allows medical personnel to safely store, carry and monitor/actively control the temperature of its contents."

Read the full press release here.

Photo via USAG Natick Public Affairs