Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can you freeze the ice crystals before you need to replace them?

The Cryopak ice cells are designed for many many uses. There are no issues with the contents being refrozen constantly – however the plastic surrounds will perish eventually but are constructed to last indefinitely if handled carefully. (I’ve used my neck wrap on and off for the past 18 months and it’s still going strong)

I need my ice vest to be sent to me urgently – are you able to arrange that?

Yes, either give us a call or send us an email and we can arrange that – we just ask that you pay the extra.

I would like to buy several ice vests for my company – can I get a special price?

If you are are interested in purchasing 5 or more items (not just ice vests)  we are more than happy for you to contact us and we can negotiate  a special price for you to purchase in bulk.

How long does it take to freeze cold pack products?

Most of our products will be 75% of optimal temperature after approx 2 hours in the freezer, depending on how many cells or pillows you are freezing. We always recommend overnight as the best and advise on buying 2 or more replacement amounts of cells for your product to cycle in the product.

How long will they stay cold for?

This is really more to do with the temperature the product will be used in and the conditions etc. For example a neckwrap will remain effective for an hour of walking in 28 C (please note the ice will melt but the effectiveness of the product is still working as it is absorbing the temperature of your body into the cells and it’s not until the cells reach body temperature that the product is no longer effective), but if you wanted to use it for a whole round of golf then keep some replacement frozen cells wrapped in foil in your bag and change every hour. An ice blanket will remain at optimal temp for 24hrs or more if used in our Cryolux Cooler Bags Insulated containers. We recommend that if a coldpacks cooling vest is to be used all day then buy a Cryolux Insulated container to keep replacement cells frozen and replace as necessary. 

Can i keep hot and cold things in your Cryolux cooler bags and containers?

Yes, a lot of our customers purchase the dividing shelves and place hot food and beverages with a heating pack in one section  and cold products with a cold pack in another. Meals on Wheels throughout Australasia use Cryolux delivery bags and containers for these purposes.

What do you recommend I use for menstural cramps – heat packs or cold packs?

We have had feedback to suggest that it really depends on the person. It is the norm for women suffering menstrual pain to use a hot water bottle, wheat bag or microwaveable heat pad on their stomach or back as they feel it is a form of comfort, however, for some women, menstrual cramps can be caused by a build-up of blood in their pelvis in which case an ice pack is more useful.  The doctor we checked with said that provided you don’t have any other medical conditions – to try using both kinds of packs – hot and cold –  to see which is best for you – but in all cases, it is advisable to discuss this with your doctor.

I have heard the R.I.C.E treatment method is good for sports injuries – what is it?

Basically, Rest Ice, Compress and Elevate your injury the moment it occurs. We have written a full article about it

RICE TREATMENT

The R.I.C.E Technique or R.I.C.E Treatment is recommended for the treatment of acute sports injuries in the first 24-48 hours. Muscle tears and ruptured blood vessels cause swelling and an increase in blood volume to the injured area. This can cause secondary hypoxic injury ie cell death.

R	Rest
I	Ice
C	Compression
E	Elevation

All four limit further injury to a site and reduce inflammatory response.

Rest

Always rest as soon as an injury occurs, don’t continue through it or “run it off”. Mechanical nerve fibres can override pain nerve fibres (known as pain gate theory) and make you think your injury is getting better.

Ice

Ice treatment or cryotherapy is the application of cooling products eg cold packs or ice wraps to an injured site which decreases further damage by 

• Vascoconstriction of blood vessels to stop swelling 
• Reducing pain
• Reduce muscle spasm
• Reduce risk of cell death by reducing the rate of metabolism.

We sell a great range of sports ice wraps such as neck wraps,  knee wraps,   ankle wraps,   elbow wrap, shoulder wraps and a hamstring wrap. We are getting new products all the time so check back regularly or contact us to ask.

Compression

Reduces inflammation and swelling by constricting blood vessels, best if combined with cryotherapy eg a specialised sports ice wrap

Elevation

Elevate injured limbs to allow gravity to draw excess fluids from the injured site.

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Cold/Hot Treatment

Approximately 3-5 days after injury when inflammation has gone down you may wish to apply a cold pack cold treatment (cryotherapy) for ten minutes to the site then heat treatment for ten minutes. This will stimulate blood flow to the injured area to promote healing. Our Hot Packs range are perfect for this as they can be heated and frozen.