Evaluation of the Retrograde Inflation Anti-G Suit (RIAGS)
Abstract
The Retrograde Inflation Anti-G Suit (RIAGS) was originally designed and fabricated in the early 1940's by Mr. David Clark and Dr. Earl Wood as The Progressive Arterial Occlusion Anti-g Suit. Testing of this suit on the Mayo Clinic centrifuge revealed that the suit provided more g protection than the fighter pilot of the era needed (+2.9 gz relaxed). This technology was revisited in 1987 by the Armstrong Laboratory and culminated in the development of a new version of the technology using modern methods and materials. The new suit consisted of a retrograde inflating anti-g suit which inflated cephaladward, arterial occlusive cuffs for the arms, and capstan sleeves. These suit combinations were compared to the standard Air Force issue CSU-13B/P anti-g suit. Endurance testing of the current suit involved exposing subjects to a continuous +4.5 to +7 gz Simulated Aerial Combat Maneuver. Results from this study showed the RIAGS with capstan sleeves provided the maximum amount of protection to the subject in terms of endurance (p<0.013), followed by RIAGS alone (p<0.058), Standard CSU-13B/P and RIAGS with occlusion cuffs (p=0.28). In addition to the protection issue, RIAGS with sleeves also proved to be the most comfortable of all the g suit combinations evaluated
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 18, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA265884
Entities
People
- Daniel Repperger
- Kathy Mccloskey
- Lloyd D. Tripp Jr.
- Smith L. Johnston
- Stephen E. Popper