Physiological Responses During Shipboard Firefighting
Abstract
The findings from previous studies of men wearing firefighting clothing suggest a high potential for individual heat strain associated with firefighting. However, no study has determined the level of heat strain during actual firefighting conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the level of heat strain experienced by U.S. Navy personnel while combating fires aboard a fire research ship. Subject volunteers (n=9) were recorded for rectal and mean skin temperatures and heart rate during three fire test days. Air temperatures in the compartment containing the fire to be extinguished averaged 470 + or - 170 deg c, while air temperatures in the compartment from which the fire was fought ranged from 40 to 125 deg C. Peak values for rectal temperature averaged 39.2 + or - 1.O deg C, while peak mean skin temperature averaged 39.5 + or + 0.9 deg C. Peak body heat storage averaged 2.02 + or - 0.77 kcal.kg-1 and peak heart rate averaged 186 + or - 13 bpm. our findings indicate that shipboard firefighting is associated with a remarkable level of individual heat strain. These findings have applications to operational training programs, generation of exposure guidelines, and development of heat strain countermeasures. Heat strain, Shipboard firefighting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA275104
Entities
People
- Brad L. Bennett
- F. Williams
- G. Banta
- R. D. Hagan
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center