An Evaluation of Personal Cooling Systems for Reducing Thermal Strain Whilst Working in Chemical/Biological Protective Clothing.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The use of personal cooling systems to mitigate heat strain on first-responders achieves two potential performance benefits relative to the absence of such cooling: (1) the completion of a workload with less effort; and/or (2) the completion of a greater workload for the same effort. Currently, claims made by manufacturers regarding the capability of their products for use in conjunction with chemical/biological protective clothing remain largely unsubstantiated. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the means by which heat strain can be alleviated during uncompensable heat stress in chemical/biological clothing, using the ASTM F2300-10 methodology.

Methods

Eight healthy males completed five trials of continuous walking (4.5 km h^-1; 35°C; 49%

SUBMITTER: Bach AJE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6474400 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature