How does instant ice work?

This week's article on Dispotech's blog provides you with a foolproof guide on the best way possible to use your ice pack.

How does instant ice work? This week's article on Dispotech's blog provides you with a foolproof guide on the best way possible to use your ice pack.

Let's go through all the steps necessary for its correct use by reading an article posted on ehow.com.

An ice pack is a very useful medical device that everyone, at least once in their life, has used. Whether it is instant disposable or made from a package of frozen food kept at home, as an “emergency solution”, an ice pack is useful in case of sprains, falls and injuries that cause swelling and pain. There are different types and sizes of ice packs; the market offers a wide range of possibilities. If you do not want to rely on home-made solutions, we will explain how instant ice works in the form of ice packs and gel packs.

How does instant ice work?

Let's start by saying that there are many different types of ice packs. If we find ourselves in an emergency situation, stopping the swelling and easing an acute pain with a packet of frozen vegetables (always wrapped in a soft, dry cloth) will suffice. Another way to create an ice bag is to put some ice cubes in a plastic bag, close it tightly and use a soft cloth as a skin protection barrier.
This last solution, even though it is an emergency solution, requires some time to prepare if the ice is not ready. Instant ice packs can solve this problem.

Professional instant ice packs use chemical reactions to activate their freezing action. Instant ice packs are readily available on the market; they are versatile, small and transportable almost anywhere. Their most outstanding feature? As already mentioned, they do not need countless hours in the freezer to become frozen. Simply hold an ice pack in your hands, apply pressure with your fingers and there you have it.

But what happens inside an instant ice pack? Inside the sealed bag there are two casings, which with the pressure and consequent rupture allows the two liquids to mix and activate an endothermic reaction: the cooling is immediate and lasts over 20 minutes.
Instant ice packs are ideal for any situation, in any private or public place. Their small size makes them perfectly suitable to be carried in a gym bag, suitcase, first aid kit, etc. It is good to remember that these ice packs are disposable and therefore not reusable. It is also essential to keep these ice packs out of the reach of children and animals, as they could have toxic effects if swallowed.

What is the difference between an instant ice pack and a gel pack?

The main difference between ice packs and gel packs is that the latter, unlike the former, are reusable and can also be reheated. A gel pack contains a mix of gel and water which can be cooled in a freezer or heated in a microwave - or by any other methods indicated on the label. Their nature makes them flexible and adaptable to any part of the body.
Unlike instant ice packs, they are not ready for use, and therefore not as quick to resolve any problems such as swelling, pain or muscle stiffness.
If they are well kept, gel packs can be reused for years. They should be cleaned gently with soap and water after each use, dried and stored.

Find out more about our products, which include ice packs and gel packs, click here.

And yourself, which ice bag do you prefer? The gel one or instant ice? Tell us about it, contact Dispotech.