New invention allows for earlier hypothermia treatment

Patients across Europe can now get earlier hypothermia treatment thanks to a new hood compatible with medical examination, interventions, and evacuation — now CE certified and ready for clinical use.

Text: Marianne Wennesland. Photos: Kim Leinhardt, Marianne Wennesland. Published: February 2026.

A drop in core temperature can quickly become life-threatening, especially when acute illness or trauma is in play. Working for the Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), Einar Fossli encounters his share of hypothermic patients, which inspired his idea of a missing piece:

– It’s a hood that provides active heat to the blood vessels in the neck, passive heat to the head, and shields both from the elements. It allows heating while the rest of the body is being examined or treated, and while the critically ill or injured patient is evacuated to a safer space, says the HEMS Crew Member.

– The hood bridges the gap before a stretcher is in place, and the circumstances allow for further warming measures: Down jackets, sleeping bags, thermal blankets, or other warming products used by the professional emergency services and voluntary sector. Being small and lightweight, it’s an easy add-on to existing equipment and emergency kits.

SAFE AND SOUND: The hypothermia hood is CE certified by approval body DNV. It complies with strict European regulations for safety, performance and clinical benefit.

Threw their HATs into the ring

Fossli was the brains behind the idea, but far from alone in making the hypothermia hood Northerm HAT a reality. His idea was green-lit as an innovation project by The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, and the product was developed with industry partner MiniTech AS, owner of the Northerm brand.

– Fossli presented us with a real-world problem, which resonated with our team. Through joint efforts, we now have a product that can benefit patients across Europe, says Robert Fennis, Marketing Lead for Northerm HAT.

A badge of safety and reliability

Placing heat-emitting products in direct skin contact is not risk-free. Fossli is aware of several cases of uncertified heating products causing burns. A proper medical approval of Northerm HAT was hence paramount to ensure patient safety and reliability.

For the last two years, the hood has undergone a rigorous assessment by approval body DNV (Det Norske Veritas). This has resulted in its newly awarded CE-certification.

The certificate proves that the hypothermia hood has been independently assessed against strict European regulations for safety, performance and clinical benefit. It also requires continuous data collection and regular audits to ensure the device continues to meet these requirements.

MOVING FORWARD: – We look forward to collect even more data on Northerm HAT’s usefulness in accidents, mountain rescue, and all other situations where hypothermia is a risk – sometimes even a killer, says Robert Fennis (left), here with Eiar Fossli.

First-movers in Scotland, Ireland and Norway

With CE approval in hand, the hypothermia hood is now market-ready and being rolled out across services in Europe.

– Emergency medical services in Scotland, Ireland and Norway – who we met with at Oslo HEMS Conference in December – are already wanting to try out this product and participate in our real-life user testing, which is great! says Fennis:

– We look forward to working with them and other parties, and collect even more data on its usefulness in accidents, mountain rescue, and all other situations where hypothermia is a risk – sometimes even a killer, he says.

ON DISPLAY: Northerm HAT attracted interest from several countries at Oslo HEMS Conference.