Why fiction doesn't work in reality
The mistake lies entirely in that direct contact with the ice. When a limb is exposed to such a low temperature, the tissue undergoes genuine frostbite. Ice crystals form inside the cells, literally destroying them. Even if the limb is subsequently warmed, the damage is irreversible. In a microsurgery operation, the goal is to reconnect blood vessels, but if the tissues are damaged by freezing, the operation cannot succeed.

This is a classic Hollywood "trick," used for its visual simplicity, but in reality, it's one of the worst things you can do.

The crucial role of the non-medical person
In an emergency, minutes matter more than anything else. The person who can make a difference is not a medical professor who will arrive in half an hour, but it's you, who are there at the time of the incident. This is precisely why, when I was Secretary to the President of the Italian Society of Microsurgery, I always maintained, along with my friend and President Andrea Ortensi, the crucial importance of preparing and disseminating the correct first aid techniques, because the first line of defense in an emergency is always the citizen present at the scene of the event, not the surgeon who arrives later.

Remember: a prepared citizen can save a limb, and sometimes even a life.

The 3 rules for saving a severed limb
The correct procedure is known as wet hypothermia preservation and it is the only one that gives a surgeon a real chance of success.

Manage the patient and call for help: The absolute priority is to stop the bleeding on the injured person. Apply firm pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Simultaneously, call for emergency services or get to a specialized emergency room as soon as possible. Every second counts.

Wrap the limb: Wrap the severed limb in a clean, damp cloth (preferably sterile and moistened with saline solution) and place it in a sealable plastic bag.

Cool, don't freeze: Place this bag in a larger container (like a cooler) with a mix of ice and water. The goal is to create a cool environment to slow tissue deterioration, but without the limb coming into direct contact with the ice.

Bibliography for further reading
To better understand these methods, you can consult the following authoritative websites:

Italian Red Cross (CRI): For first aid manuals and courses.

Italian Society of Microsurgery (SIM): For specialized information.

American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM): An important international association.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): For guidelines on orthopedic emergencies.

Remember, knowing these simple rules doesn't make you a doctor, but it makes you a priceless rescuer in a moment of extreme need.

*Board Member, SRSN (Roman Society of Natural Science)
Past Editor-in-Chief Italian Journal of Dermosurgery