Physiological Testing of Experimental Chemical Warfare Agent Protective Patient Wraps
Abstract
A physiological comparison of subject response during 2 hours of encapsulation in the chemical warfare agent protective patient wrap currently being procured, six prototypes developed by the United States and a newly developed United Kingdom patient wrap was done in a warm environment (T sub db = 29.90 (+ or - 0.46) C, T sub dp = 6.89 (+ or - 2.14) C). Core temperature (rectal) and 02 and C02 concentration within the wrap were measured every minute. Heart rate was measured every 5 minutes. Weight loss was measured before and after each experiment. The results showed that 02 depletion and C02 accumulation after 2 h of encapsulation was less in the patient wrap made of a Nyco twill shell and 3M melt-blown polypropylene core and the patient wrap made of a Nyco Oxford shell and Lanton Mark IV core than the patient wrap made of a Nyco twill shell and a Von Blucker Saratoga shell. There were no significant differences in final core temperature or sweating rate during 2 h of encapsulation among the six prototypes. Further testing in a hot environment (T sub db = 49.14 (+ or - 0.43), T sub dp = 17.02 (+ or - 0.26) C) revealed that there was less 02 depletion in one patient wrap (Nyco twill/3M polypropylene) than in the wrap composed of a Nyco oxford shell and Bondina Mark IV core, although the two wraps were not different in a cold environment (T sub db = -38. 83 (+ or - 0.74) C). Keywords: Cold/Dry; Hot/Dry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA166639
Entities
People
- Bruce S. Cadarette
- Karen L. Speckman
- Lou A. Stephenson
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine