Adding the training of rescue teams with due regard for the region’s specific conditions and modern technology to the Arctic medicine standards will speed up the provision of first aid and increase emergency patient survival rates. This is the conclusion of the experts who took part in a roundtable discussion on creating and maintaining an effective healthcare system adjusted to Arctic standards, held within the framework of the 15th Arctic: Today and Future international forum.

Grigory Orlov, head of the research and editorial center of the St. Petersburg University of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, pointed out that first aid is crucial for the survival of patients, and so emergency crews must learn to work in the extreme conditions of the Arctic.

“We are aware of the specific Arctic conditions, such as remoteness, limited transport connectivity, and natural factors. All this poses huge challenges for patients, especially in hypothermia conditions. This calls for creating a system of specialized first aid training for the emergency crews, which are often the first to reach patients, with assistance from medical specialists,” Grigory Orlov stated.

He added that special programs are necessary for the personnel of local services and enterprises, who must be taught the physiological aspects of first aid in hypothermia conditions and the procedure for various situations. It is also important to develop information technologies.

“Telemedicine and remote consultations can increase the accessibility of emergency medicine in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, and the effectiveness of interdepartmental interaction for organizing medical assistance. The patient must be stabilized to survive until an evacuation helicopter arrives, which is a task for both emergency crews and ordinary people nearby,” the expert from the St. Petersburg university of the Emergencies Ministry said.

Alexei Starkov, assistant professor at the Department of Disaster Medicine of the Burnazyan Medical-Biological University of Innovations and Continuing Education, Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), spoke about the potential use of artificial intelligence in providing emergency assistance.

“AI, which can analyze large masses of data, including minute changes in the patient’s condition, weather conditions, and best routes for the transportation of the patient, can help remote medical operators and structures take a correct decision, he said.

The possibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is being considered to expand the evacuation zone in the Arctic. Alexei Starkov added that drones, due to their small payload capacity, are so far being used for medical surveillance in emergency areas and for delivering small medical cargo. However, a technology has been created for using them to evacuate people.

“The UAVs, which are being successfully used in the Arctic zone, should be placed at the service of our doctors. By the time we start doing this in the near future, the professional community must be ready to entrust their patients, who may be in a grave condition, to a drone which will transport him to medics. Robotic medical evacuation modules, which are being created right now, may be in high demand in this situation,” the expert said.

At the same time, the use of modern technologies should not fully replace the traditional and time-tested methods of transporting medics and patients. It would be best to use a combination of robotic and traditional transportation methods.

“Today, helicopters are mostly used to deliver medical staff and evacuate patients in the Arctic. However, helicopters sometimes cannot land on ships’ decks or in direct proximity to a convoy of ships. We believe that snowmobiles are the best possible variant of the existing technical means. Given the current technological advances, snowmobiles can move on land, ice and in shallow water to approach vessels and hence increase the use of evacuation helicopters,” Starkov added.

The experts also discussed health promotion measures for those who live and work in the Arctic. To reduce professional health risks, they called for modernizing equipment, introducing modern ventilation and lighting systems, providing people with effective personal protective equipment, and optimizing work and rest schedules.

They also suggested that special attention should be given to creating individual health risks assessment methods, especially for personnel exposed to ionizing radiation, namely a differentiated approach to radiation doses.

And lastly, they proposed introducing targeted programs to assess and prevent iodine, Vitamin D and iron deficiency in the Arctic zone.