TECHNOLOGY that used to keep polar explorers warm has been used in new casualty bags used by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Paramedics worked with specialist company Snowsled Polar Ltd to re-design their standard casualty bag to specifically meet the requirements of the charity.

Almost all Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) patients are placed on an immobilisation board and then put in an insulated casualty bag, before being taken to hospital.

YAA paramedic Al Day said: “The casualty bags we had were fine but needed replacement and this was a great opportunity to look at improvements which would make a difference to both patients and the paramedics.”

The bags have a mat built in for insulation, are easier to carry people in, have extra zipss - so paramedics can access different areas of the patient without having to open the bag complete - and are longer to allow for a long-leg splint.

Snowsled Polar Ltd develops and manufactures travelling equipment for polar workers.

The YAA has been able to buy four new casualty bags with grants from The Co-operative Community Fund and Network Rail Charitable Giving Fund.