Physiological Evaluation of A1 (Extreme-Cold-Weather) and A2 (Buoyant, Intermediate-Cold-Weather) Jackets.

• Main Author: Avellini,Barbara A
• Other Authors: NAVY CLOTHING AND TEXTILE RESEARCH FACILITY NATICK MA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1983
• Subjects: Protective Equipment; *Jackets; Cold weather; Naval equipment; Thermal insulation; Test and evaluation; Metabolism; Physiological effects; Body temperature; Arctic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA134100; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA134100

Tne environmental temperatures in which the clothing was tested included: 5 F (-15C), -10F (-23.3 C), -30F (-34.4 C), and -40 F (-40 C) for evaluation of the A1 ensemble; and 39 F ( 3.9 C), 20 F (-6.7 C), 0 F (-17.8 C) and -10 F (-23.3 C) for evaluation of the A2 ensemble. An additional exposure to -40 F was undertaken to compare responses with the Army Arctic gear, and an exposure to 70 F (21.1 C) while standard Navy utility clothing was worn served as a control. Exposures were 3 hours in duration, the first hour of which the subject sat quietly, followed by 1 hour of exercise at 3.5 mph, and again 1 hour of rest. Based on mean skin temperature responses, the results indicate that none of the test garments would keep an inactive person warm for prolonged periods of time (4.0 hours). Predicted tolerance times ranged from 1.3 hours at -40F to 3.7 hours at 5 F with the A1 ensemble. Individuals wearing the Army Arctic gear would have been expected to have double the tolerance time at -40 F than those with the Navy clothing. Exercise interspersed with the rest periods would significantly increase exposure time, the extent of which would depend upon the work/rest schedule.