Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling the extracranial area including the face and, optionally, also including the mandible, during emergency care of cardiac arrest or severe shock; the method is preferably implemented by means of a head cooling apparatus which includes a watertight shroud for the head and which needs no refrigeration. The head cooling apparatus contains the unreacted constituents of an endothermic reaction, such as pellets of ammonium nitrate (NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3) stored adjacent a selectively avaiable reservoir of water, and thus needs no external coolants or refrigeration. Preferably, the head-cooling apparatus comprises a portable, self-contained system which is suitable for storage, transport and/or use anywhere.

Abstract: A self-adjusting transcricothyroid catheter comprises a catheter attached near its proximal end to a fastener plate. The attachment means permits rotation/translation of the catheter relative to the fastener plate, rendering the catheter self-adjusting to movement of the neck. The fastener plate is adapted for topical placement adjacent the site of cricothyroid puncture and is held in place by attached strap means which encircle the neck and which optionally form a part of a cervical immobilization device. The minimized length of the catheter minimizes or eliminates kinking and/or knotting of the catheter during its insertion, and the ability of the catheter to self-adjust to movement minimizes trauma and bleeding during use.

Abstract: A method for cooling the extracranial area including the face and, optionally, also including the mandible, during emergency care of cardiac arrest or severe shock; the method is preferably implemented by means of a hood- or cap-like topical cold pack which requires no refrigeration. Extracranial cooling causes two thermal changes in the physiology of the cardiac or respiratory patient: extracranial vasoconstriction promotes maximum perfusion to the brain during CPR or severe shock, and the resultant conductive intracranial cooling lowers the oxygen demands of the individual brain cells, particularly those of the cerebrum. These two phenomena together postpone damage to brain cells in the event of cardiac arrest or severe shock. Cooling also thermodynamically slows any degenerative processes which may have already commenced. The hood- or cap-like topical cold pack contains the unreacted constituents of an endothermic reaction, such as pellets of ammonium nitrate (NH.sub.4 NO.sub.