What is the purpose of providing shelter and thermal control for patients during rescues?

The purpose of providing shelter and thermal control for patients during rescues is to protect patients from environmental factors. During an emergency situation, patients may be exposed to extreme weather conditions—such as cold, heat, wind, or rain—that can have detrimental effects on their health. By ensuring that patients are sheltered and that their temperature is regulated, responders can prevent complications such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, or shock. This protective measure is crucial to stabilizing patients' conditions until further medical treatment can be administered.

While ensuring respondent comfort may indirectly benefit the rescue operation, it does not directly address the immediate needs of the patient. Enhancing patient comfort is more relevant once they are stabilized or transported, but initially, the focus is on protecting them from harmful environmental conditions. Facilitating quicker transportation is important, but this goal does not prioritize the immediate health and safety needs of the patient, which are best addressed through shelter and thermal control.