Austere Environments
While the most common place to receive medical care and blood transfusions is in a hospital, that’s not always possible. There are many times when a person needs emergency care in other locations.
For example, if a hiker is injured in the wilderness or a serviceman is injured in combat, they often need care on-site. This is also the case when a natural or man-made disaster occurs. Often, there is no medical facility close by. If there is, it may be filled to capacity, leaving injured parties without a place to go.
In many instances, emergency professionals have been forced to utilize a portable blood refrigerator that was either the same as or very similar to a cooler you would put sodas and food in. Unfortunately, they do not provide the quality that professionals need to store blood, medication, or other supplies for long periods.