Heat Production and Optimal Cooling for Navy Special Warfare Divers
Abstract
This report is a review of the literature regarding heat production and optimal cooling of divers swimming underwater. In previous studies, divers fin swimming at paces sustainable for at least 20 min showed oxygen consumption rates (VO2) ranging from 1.25 to 2.3 1/min. During rapid swimming sustainable for 10 min, a V02 of 3.1 1/min has been reported. The heat produced by these divers (estimated from V02) ranged from 400 to 736 W for the longer duration swims (> or - 20 min) and up to 992 W during the 10-min swim. The literature regarding cooling of the human body revealed whole body liquid cooling garments are capable of removing 465 to 558 W metabolic heat produced during sustained energy expenditure rates of 500 to 600 kcal/hr, respectively. The head, neck and areas overlying active muscles are the body regions that can provide the greatest heat removal per skin surface area. Cooling the head has the added benefit of greatly enhancing thermal comfort. Microclimate cooling, Eat, Exercise, Oxygen consumption, Swimming.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA252722
Entities
People
- James A. Hodgdon
- Marcie B. Beckett
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center