Acute Caremiddle twist
A 16-year-old boy collapses at the finish of a school cross-country race in Perth on a 39-degree day. He is confused, cannot say where he is, and is unsteady when helped to sit. His skin is hot and wet with sweat. Tympanic temperature is 40.9 degrees Celsius, pulse 132/min and blood pressure 104/62 mmHg. An ambulance has been called and will take about 20 minutes; a rubbish bin, a garden hose and an ice chest are available. Which one of the following should be used to cool him while waiting?