title: Insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body temperature for individuals wearing CBRN protective clothing.
abstract: This study assessed the validity of insulated skin temperature (Tis) to predict rectal temperature (Tre) for use as a non-invasive measurement of thermal strain to reduce the risk of heat illness for emergency service personnel. Volunteers from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Services performed role-related tasks in hot (30 °C) and neutral (18 °C) conditions, wearing service specific personal protective equipment. Insulated skin temperature and micro climate temperature (Tmc) predicted Tre with an adjusted r(2) = 0.87 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 0.19 °C. A bootstrap validation of the equation resulted in an adjusted r(2) = 0.85 and SEE = 0.20 °C. Taking into account the 0.20 °C error, the prediction of Tre resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91%, respectively. Insulated skin temperature and Tmc can be used in a model to predict Tre in emergency service personnel wearing CBRN protective clothing with an SEE of 0.2 °C. However, the model is only valid for Tis over 36.5 °C, above which thermal stability is reached between the core and the skin.
authors.affiliation: Optimal Performance Ltd, Leigh Court Business Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3RA, UK.
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Blacker
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Havenith
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rayson
mesh_terms: D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012881:Skin Temperature