User Guide for the Mission Degradation of Respiratory Protection Database (MDRPDB)
Abstract
A significant portion of the performance degradation associated with wearing the Chemical Defense Ensemble (CDE) is due to the burdens placed on the wearer by the mask and hood combination. The degradation which occurs when a mask/hood is worn is a function of a combination of factors. Several physical problems such as respiratory difficulty and thermal stress are associated with mask usage. Wearing protective masks can also create adverse psychological effects. Lastly, perceptual abilities such as vision, communications, and fine motor dexterity can be severely hampered. The goal of mask designers is to reduce the impact of these factors on task performance through improved mask designs. In order to predict and evaluate the extent to which performance burdens induced by the mask/hood can be relieved with a new mask/hood design, an automated system which quantitatively depicts the interrelationships between the various factors associated with wearing the protective mask/hood has been developed. Previous predictive models have dealt with physiological and performance issues, but most of these models and databases were developed using the Chemical Defense Ensemble (CDE) as a total system. This project is the first database and basic model which combines task performance, human abilities and mask design parameters to provide a predictor for new mask designs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA262133
Entities
People
- B. L. Allen
- C. M. Grove
- K. A. Charlton
- R. C. Hale
- T. L. Ramirez
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center