FAQ's

HOW DOES SQUID WORK?

Squid operates by combining sequential compression with cold therapy. Each Squid wrap was uniquely developed for a specific body part with a sequential compression bladder* designed to direct swelling away from the treated body part while driving cold deep into the tissue. The combination of directional sequential compression and deep penetrating cold may help in reducing edema and pain while allowing better blood circulation in the treated area and reducing inflammation.

For athletes Squid is an excellent recovery tool providing high efficacy cold therapy while driving metabolites such as lactic acid away from the treated muscle, increasing local circulation and getting you ready faster for more action!

* Except for the Shoulder Wrap, which does not benefit from sequential compression.

HOW LONG IS THE TREATMENT?

The duration of each treatment is 15 minutes and is controlled by the Squid pump control unit. At the end of each treatment the pump will sound a short beep and turn off.

HOW OFTEN CAN I USE SQUID?

When used with a cold gel pack, Squid should not be applied to treat the same location more than once an hour to avoid risk of frostbite. When used without a gel pack (compression only) use as needed. Squid should be used over clothing or over the provided cloth barrier provided with the elbow, knee, leg, and wrist systems.

HOW IS SQUID DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COLD THERAPIES?

Squid is the only system available that combines intermittent sequential compression with cold therapy. Regular cold gel packs and ice water circulators are less effective since the vascular blood vessels system located under the skin layer carries the cold away from the treated site, resulting in superficial cold treatment and less penetration into muscles ligaments and bones where it is mostly needed. In order to drive cold deep into the tissue Squid applies intermittent sequential compression, temporarily reducing venues blood flow and allowing the cold to penetrate through the skin deep into the muscles ligaments and bones.

In addition, the Squid gel pack can be frozen to -18°C while maintaining its elasticity thereby delivering significantly lower temperature compared to ice water circulators resulting in a significantly shorter treatment.

HOW MUCH COMPRESSION SHOULD BE USED?

The level of compression used should be determined by the user’s comfort level. Most athletes want to crank it up to 4 because they want to really feel the compression. However, if a user has just had surgery and is newly injured they might be more sensitive to the compression and want a lower level. It is truly up to what feels good to the individual. The best part is the compression level can be changed during treatment so if a user starts off with too much or too little pressure, adjustments can be made to reach the optimal level.

WHEN NOT TO USE SQUID

Do not use Squid if you have any of the following conditions:

Thrombosis (blood clots in the brain, heart or other blood vessels)
Aneurysm (enlargement of a blood vessel artery caused by a weak artery wall)
Vascular disease which includes narrowing of blood vessels or thickening of blood vessel walls causing loss of blood flow; Diabetes (blood glucose disease)
High blood pressure; Compromised local circulation (blood circulation that is not normal)
Heart disease
Cancer (active disease state)

Do not use the Squid cold gel packs if you have any of the following conditions:

Cold urticaria (hives after being exposed to cold);
Cold hypersensitivity (slowing of the heart rate and/or skin swelling surrounded by redness; may be itchy after being exposed to the cold)
Vasospastic disease (tissue swelling which can lead to death of the skin after being exposed to the cold)
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (presence of hemoglobin in the urine after being exposed to the cold)
Raynaud’s syndrome (numb or prickly feeling and/or skin turns blue after being exposed to the cold)
Cryoglobulinemia (higher than normal levels of blood cryoglobulins which are proteins).
Do not use the device during or 3 months after pregnancy.
Do not use the device over broken (open wound) or inflamed skin.
Do not use the device over or near the site of a broken bone or a healing fracture.
Do not use if you are under 18 years of age.

You can still use Squid as a sequential compression system without the cold gel packs.

WHAT IS THE WARRANTY

Download Warranty PDF

SQUID PUMP

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE?

When first used, charge the pump for 8 hours or overnight. Consecutive charges will require 4-6 hours. The Squid pump will hold sufficient charge to drive 40-50 treatments before recharging. The Squid pump can be used while charging.

SQUID GEL PACK

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FREEZE?

When first used, freeze the gel pack for 12 hours to get maximum cold. After each use, the gel pack needs to be put back in the freezer for 3 hours to reach maximum cold once again.

CAN I USE CRUSHED ICE?

Absolutely you can. In the same way that you use a disposable ice bag, ensure the ice is well crushed, has a little water, and the bag well sealed. Then simply place the ice bag between your leg and the wrap (with a cloth between the leg and ice pack), and ensure the wrap is nice and snug around your leg. The wrap will keep the ice bag in place, and you're good to go!

Teams even take disposable ice bags with them on planes, ask for some crushed ice from the staff, and therefore have cold compression whilst travelling!

SHOULD THE GEL PACK REMAIN AT -18 DEGREES AFTER USE?

Simply put, no. The gel packs drive the cold deep into your muscles, so the cold is transferred from the gel pack to your specific joint. If the cold wasn't transferred, then the benefits wouldn't be as great. The gel packs will still be cold enough to use on another muscle group (never the same group within an hour), or you could place the gel pack back in the freezer. The compression only is equally as important, so you can compress only too.