A comparison of thermal stress in the submarine escape using immersion half- and full suit in tropical weather operations.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Submariners of disabled submarines are subject to drastic weather changes as they are awaiting rescue on the sea surface. Hyperthermia and hypothermia are just two of the adverse conditions that they can experience. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two models of submarine escape and the protective capabilities of immersion suits from environmental changes. METHOD: A randomized study involving 24 male subjects was conducted to compare the thermal capabilities of the full- versus half-configuration suit in a climate-controlled chamber. RESULTS: The full-configuration suits tested for a higher mean maximal core temperature (37.76 degrees C / 99.97 degrees F) than the mean maximal core temperature of the half-suits (37.52 degrees C / 99.54 degrees F). The full suits also tested for a higher mean minimal core temperature (36.13 degrees C / 97.03 degrees F) than the mean minimal core temperature (35.95 degrees C / 96.71 degrees F) of the half-suits. CONCLUSION: Results showed that the full-suit configuration did not induce clinically significant high levels of heat stress as compared to the half-suits, but instead provided better thermal protection against hypothermia than the half-suits.