Effects of a Modified Through-Mask Drinking System (MDS) on Fluid Intake During Exercise in Chemical Protective Gear
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a modified through-mask drinking system (MDS) on voluntary fluid consumption. Eighteen male volunteers walked on a treadmill (4.02 km/hr, 0 deg. grade, 50 min/hr for 6 hr) in a climatic chamber (dry bulb=32.6 deg C, wet bulb=17.5 deg C, 20.4% relative humidity, and windspeed=8.05 km/hr, producing a WBGT of 22.1 deg C). Subjects wore chemical protective gear (trousers, jacket, boots, gloves, and M17A1 protective mask) and were randomly assigned one of two through-mask) and were randomly assigned one of two through-mask drinking systems: CS (n=9), the current gravity fed system or MDS (n=9), a prototype hand-pump drinking system. Because decontamination of the mask and drinking connections was performed prior to drinking, the overall use of the CS was rated significantly more difficult during both work and rest than the MDS. Failure to decontaminate connections prior to drinking was noted early in the trial in 2 soldiers using the CS suggesting an increase risk of accidental contamination associated with this system. Drinking with the MDS had no measurable adverse effect on hydration status of the test subjects: water intake rate, 0.36 L/hr (CS) and 0.42 L/hr (MDS; sweat rate, 0.63 L/hr (CS) and 0.67 L/hr (MDS); body weight loss, 0.32 %/ hr (CS) and 0.31 %/hr (MDS). Keywords: Heat tolerance; Incapsulation; Hypohydration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 12, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA217970
Entities
People
- Ingrid V. Sils
- Patricia C. Szlyk
- Ralph P. Francesconi
- Richard B. Mahnke Jr.
- William J. Tharion
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine