Effectiveness of a light-weight ice-vest for body cooling while wearing fire fighter's protective clothing in the heat.
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of wearing an ice-vest (ca 1 kg) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighters. The experiments were carried out on a treadmill in a hot-dry environment. The physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal manikin. The ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest. On average, heart rate was 10 beats/min lower, the amount of sweating was reduced by 13%, and subjective sensations of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. Thermal manikin tests indicated that the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58%). In conclusion, the ice-vest reduces physiological and subjective strain responses during heavy work in the heat, and may promote efficient work time by 10%.
Smolander
Juhani
J
National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kuklane
Kalev
K
Gavhed
Désirée
D
Nilsson
Håkan
H
Holmér
Ingvar
I
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005390:Fires; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D011336:Probability; D011481:Protective Clothing; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors
D007053:Ice