防水透湿性手袋及び靴下の冷水浸漬環境下での効果について

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of wearing prototype protective gloves and socks on thermal exchanges in standard aircrew winter equipment assembly (anti-exposure suits, etc.) equipped subjects in field ice water immersion. Two male subjects, clad in anti-exposure suits and either with or without waterproof and permeable gloves and socks were immersed in water at 1 C, air temperature at -6 C for 30 min. Data were logged at 1-min intervals for rectal temperature (Tre) and local (forehead, cheek, back, forearm, hand, thigh, leg, foot, second finger and second toe) skin temperatures during immersion. The peripheral skin temperatures in the with condition (prototype) at the end of immersion were higher than those in the without condition (standard). The heat loss from the peripheral portions resulted in a decrease in Tre under the with condition, but the decrease of mean body temperature and the negative body heat storage in the without condition were greater than those in the with condition. The results of this study showed that wearing the prototype protective gloves and socks under cold water immersion gave more protection against a decrease in peripheral skin temperature and body heat loss. However, the results also showed that since there was potential for decreased rectal temperature in more severe cold conditions or during extended immersion, changes in core temperature as well as peripheral portions should be considered in the prevention of heat loss under cold immersion.