Accession Number:

AD0601044

Title:

THERMAL PROTECTION DURING IMMERSION IN COLD WATER

Descriptive Note:

Research rept. no. 1

Corporate Author:

NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH INST BETHESDA MD

Personal Author(s):

• Beckman, E. L.

Report Date:

1964-03-27

Pagination or Media Count:

23.0

Abstract:

The physical principles which pertain to heat loss from the human body when immersed in water at lower temperatures than its own, together with the physiological mechanisms which are activated in maintaining thermal balance are reviewed and related to the problems of thermal balance of underwater swimmers. Data on the amount of heat lost under various conditions of water temperature, body insulation, and rates of heat production are presented. The limited effectiveness of increasing internal and external body insulation is established by this data. The proposal of a method to counteract the body heat loss of underwater swimmers by the use of electrical resistance clothing is presented as being feasible within the present state of the art of battery and blanket manufacture.

Descriptors:

• *THERMAL INSULATION
• *BODY TEMPERATURE
• *UNDERWATER CLOTHING
• HEAT TRANSFER
• THICKNESS
• RUBBER
• THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
• EXPOSURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• HEAT
• PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
• UNDERWATER
• SWIMMING
• WOOLEN TEXTILES
• BLANKETS
• SCUBA DIVERS
• FOAM RUBBER

Subject Categories:

• Protective Equipment

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE