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Effectiveness of a light-weight ice-vest for body cooling in fire figther´s work

Smolander, Juhani ; Kuklane, Kalev LU ; Gavhed, Désirée ; Nilsson, Håkan ; Karlsson, Eva and Holmér, Ingvar LU (2000) Ergonomics of Protective Clothing: NOKOBETEF 6 and 1st European Conference on Protective Clothing p.289-292
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of wearing a light-weight ice-vest (1 kg, water) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighter’s work. The experiments were carried out in a climatic chamber, in a container under extreme radiant heat, and during simulated smoke-diving. In addition, the physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal mannequin. Four experienced fire fighters participated in the experiments. In all tests, the subjects wore the standard clothing for fire fighters with the self-contained breathing apparatus. The total extra weight carried was 21-23 kg. The ice-vest was worn over the underwear. The laboratory tests consisted of 30 minutes of treadmill walking at a moderate... (More)
The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of wearing a light-weight ice-vest (1 kg, water) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighter’s work. The experiments were carried out in a climatic chamber, in a container under extreme radiant heat, and during simulated smoke-diving. In addition, the physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal mannequin. Four experienced fire fighters participated in the experiments. In all tests, the subjects wore the standard clothing for fire fighters with the self-contained breathing apparatus. The total extra weight carried was 21-23 kg. The ice-vest was worn over the underwear. The laboratory tests consisted of 30 minutes of treadmill walking at a moderate (4 km/h, no inclination), and a heavy (4 km/h, inclination of 4 degrees) work intensity in the heat (45 °C, 30 %) with and without the ice-vest. The results showed that the ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest, especially on the back under the breathing apparatus. Wearing the ice-vest did not affect the metabolic rate, skin temperatures outside the vest or the rise in rectal temperature. On average, heart rate was ca. 10 beats/min lower, amount of sweating was reduced by 13 %, and subjective sensation of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. The results from tests in the container and in the smoke-diving house largely supported the laboratory results. According to the thermal mannequin tests, the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58 %). In conclusion, the light-weight ice-vest clearly reduces circulatory, thermal, and subjective strain during demanding smoke-diving tasks. It was estimated that the added benefit is 10-15 %. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Arbete och hälsa
editor
Kuklane, Kalev and Holmér, Ingvar
issue
2000:8
pages
4 pages
publisher
National Institute for Working Life
conference name
Ergonomics of Protective Clothing: NOKOBETEF 6 and 1st European Conference on Protective Clothing
conference location
Norra Latin, Stockholm, Sweden
conference dates
2000-05-07 - 2000-05-10
ISSN
0346-7821
ISBN
91-7045-559-7
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
27616e71-cc9e-4e63-bd70-276635862c2a (old id 634812)
alternative location
http://hdl.handle.net/2077/4246
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:41:34
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:43:28
@inproceedings{27616e71-cc9e-4e63-bd70-276635862c2a,
  abstract     = {{The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of wearing a light-weight ice-vest (1 kg, water) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighter’s work. The experiments were carried out in a climatic chamber, in a container under extreme radiant heat, and during simulated smoke-diving. In addition, the physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal mannequin. Four experienced fire fighters participated in the experiments. In all tests, the subjects wore the standard clothing for fire fighters with the self-contained breathing apparatus. The total extra weight carried was 21-23 kg. The ice-vest was worn over the underwear. The laboratory tests consisted of 30 minutes of treadmill walking at a moderate (4 km/h, no inclination), and a heavy (4 km/h, inclination of 4 degrees) work intensity in the heat (45 °C, 30 %) with and without the ice-vest. The results showed that the ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest, especially on the back under the breathing apparatus. Wearing the ice-vest did not affect the metabolic rate, skin temperatures outside the vest or the rise in rectal temperature. On average, heart rate was ca. 10 beats/min lower, amount of sweating was reduced by 13 %, and subjective sensation of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. The results from tests in the container and in the smoke-diving house largely supported the laboratory results. According to the thermal mannequin tests, the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58 %). In conclusion, the light-weight ice-vest clearly reduces circulatory, thermal, and subjective strain during demanding smoke-diving tasks. It was estimated that the added benefit is 10-15 %.}},
  author       = {{Smolander, Juhani and Kuklane, Kalev and Gavhed, Désirée and Nilsson, Håkan and Karlsson, Eva and Holmér, Ingvar}},
  booktitle    = {{Arbete och hälsa}},
  editor       = {{Kuklane, Kalev and Holmér, Ingvar}},
  isbn         = {{91-7045-559-7}},
  issn         = {{0346-7821}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2000:8}},
  pages        = {{289--292}},
  publisher    = {{National Institute for Working Life}},
  title        = {{Effectiveness of a light-weight ice-vest for body cooling in fire figther´s work}},
  url          = {{http://hdl.handle.net/2077/4246}},
  year         = {{2000}},
}