Torso heating of divers in cold water.
BACKGROUND
Cold water immersion could compromise both the effectiveness and safety of a diver. This paper reports an evaluation of the utility of providing external heating to divers in cold water.


METHODS
Seven U.S. Navy divers wearing semidry suits were submerged in 7.2 degrees C water for 2 h. In the heated condition, a total of 35 W was delivered to each of four heating pads (total area 2477 cm2) placed on the torso of the divers. In the unheated condition, the participants received no external heating.


RESULTS
The participants believed they were more comfortable in the heated, than the unheated condition. However, objective data did not support this perception. In fact, heating the torso had a significantly detrimental effect on the body's thermoregulatory ability, and lacked a positive effect on manual dexterity. Cognitive test performance was not affected by the exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Heating the torso did not have a positive effect on diver performance. Moreover, heating the torso of a diver may actually increase susceptibility to hypothermia.
O'Connor
Paul
P
Operations Research Dept, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943, USA. poc73@hotmail.com
Hyde
Dale
D
Clarke
John
J
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004242:Diving / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D018737:Hand Strength; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011594:Psychometrics; D013697:Thermosensing; D014481:United States; D014867:Water
D014867:Water