Physiological Evaluation of the Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble (SIPE)Clothing System

摘要

The Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble (SIPE) program is the initial step indeveloping an integrated modular clothing and equipment system for combat ground troops. This system will increase lethality, mobility, survivability, command and control and overall protection of the troops. This environmental chamber study compared physiological responses of volunteers exercising in MOPP O, MOPP 1, and MOPP 4 with equivalent SIPE configurations, including SIPE 4 with and without ambient air microclimate cooling (MCC) . Responses to all uniforms were compared over 100 minutes of continuous treadmill walking at 30.O deg C, 50% rh. Responses to MOPP 4 and SIPE 4 with no cooling were also compared over 100 minutes at 18.5 deg C, 50% rh. Responses to MOPP 4 and SIPE 4 MCC were compared over four hours of intermittent work-rest cycles at 30.O deg C, .50% rh. There were no differences between MOPP 0 and SIPE 0, MOPP 1 and SIPE 1, and MOPP 4 and SIPE 4 with no cooling (in both environments) . Core temperature, skin temperature, heat storage, and heart rate were lower in SIPE 4 MCC than in MOPP 4; while evaporative cooling was greater in SIPE 4 MCC than in MOPP 4. Three volunteers completed the 4-hour tests in SIPE 4 MCC with similar advantageous trends apparent from the cooling. It is concluded that the SIPE clothing did not increase thermal strain compared to equivalent MOPP levels, and MCC, (although increasing uniform weight by approximately 10 kg) reduced thermal strain at 30.... Exercise, Cooling, Chemical protective clothing, Heat strain.