Thermal protection performance of survival suits in ice-water

Abstract

Five models of dry and insulative survival suits for cold-water immersion were studies for their thermal protection while worn by subjects floating in ice-water at 1 degree C for 6 h. Rectal temperature, extremity skin temperatures, and heart rate were monitored. No significant differences occurred in the thermal or heart rate responses of the subjects wearing the five models of suits. The immersion induced only mild hypothermia; the overall amount of rectal cooling during the 6-h period was 0.80 degree C, or a rate of 0.13 degree C/h. Extremity temperatures fell within the first 2 h to levels that induced strong sensation of cold and moderate shivering. The results show that dry and insulative survival suits can provide excellent protection against fatal levels of hypothermia resulting from ice-water immersion. Predicted survival time, given the very low cooling rate observed, exceeds 1 d if drowning can be avoided.