Thermal Stress Imposed by Prototype Bilayer and Current Ground Crew Chemical Defense Ensembles. A Limited Laboratory Comparison
Abstract
An open bilayer ground crew chemical defense ensemble (CDE) has been proposed to reduce the thermal burden during vapor-only exposure periods. This study compared the thermal stress profile of the proposed ensemble to that produced by the currently employed closed CDE. Four subjects, alternating ensembles on separate days, walked on a treadmill in an environmental chamber at 5.3 km/h (3.3 mph) and 2% grade (an energy expenditure of 350 kcal/h) for alternating work/rest to achieve significant recovery. Mean total sweat production was lower (1.38 vs. 2.50 liters) and percent sweat evaporation greater (65.7% vs. 30.0%) in the prototype ensemble than in the CDE. The prototype ensemble provided greater heat dissipation and allowed more efficient sweat evaporation which had the double benefit of reducing heat storage and limiting dehydration. Chemical defense; Thermal stress; Ground crew chemical defense ensemble; Open bilayer; Chemical defense ensemble.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199854
Entities
People
- Larry P. Krock
- Loren G. Myhre
- Rufino Navalta
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine