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

摘要

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.