DRY ICE CO2 INDUCED FROSTBITES

CO2 is one of the substances used in extinguishing fires. It is stored in metal containers or specially designed systems as compressed dry i ce. In case of fire it is decompressed either manually or automaticall y. On contact with human skin it causes frostbite. The severity of the injury varies with the skin surface involved and the duration of acti on. The cases presented are all superficial frostbites (first/second d egree) and were treated conservatively. The pathophysiology of frostbi te is reviewed. The danger for personnel who may be trapped in places where ''dry'' ice CO2 extinguishing systems are activated is emphasize d.