Development of Passive Diver Thermal Protection System

摘要

The development of the US Navy Passive Diver Thermal Protection system, designed to satisfy a majority of the air mode thermal protection requirements of fleet diving activities in cold water, is described. The requirements, the evolution of system design, the development and test of the various prototypes, and the system operational and performance evaluations are discussed. The final system demonstrated its ability to maintain a resting diver within acceptable thermal limits for 6 hours in 4.5 degrees C water. The protection system allows sufficient mobility to allow the diver to engage in typical special warfare activities such as helicopter cast and recovery, parachuting, boat cast and recovery, and long surface and underwater swims.