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Effectiveness of a light-weight ice-vest for body cooling in fire fighter's work

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Author

  • Juhani Smolander
  • Kalev Kuklane
  • Désirée Gavhed
  • Håkan Nilsson
  • Eva Karlsson
  • Ingvar Holmér

Summary, in English

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of wearing a light-weight ice-vest (1kg, water) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighter’s work. The experiments were carried out in a climatic chamber, in a container under extreme radiant heat, and during simulated smoke-diving. In addition, the physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal mannequin. Four experienced fire fighters participated in the experiments. In all tests, the subjects wore the standard clothing for fire fighters with the self-contained breathing apparatus. The total extra weight carried was 21-23 kg. The ice-vest was worn over the underwear. The laboratory tests consisted of 30 minutes of treadmill walking at a moderate (4km/h, no inclination), and a heavy (4 km/h, inclination of 4 degrees) work intensity in the heat (45oC, 30%) without and with the ice-vest. The results showed that the ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest, especially on the back under the breathing apparatus. Wearing the ice-vest did not affect the metabolic rate, skin temperatures outside the vest or the rise in rectal temperature. On average, heart rate was ca. 10 beats/min lower, amount of sweating was reduced by 13%, and subjective sensation of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. The results from tests in the container and in the smoke-diving house largely supported the laboratory results. According to the thermal mannequin tests, the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58%). In conclusion, the light-weight ice-vest clearly reduces circulatory, thermal, and subjective strain during demanding smoke-diving tasks. It was estimated that the added benefit is 10-15%.

Publishing year

1999

Language

English

Publication/Series

Research and development report

Document type

Report

Publisher

Swedish Rescue Services Agency, Karlstad, Sweden

Topic

  • Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Keywords

  • heat stress
  • ice-vest
  • cooling
  • thermal strain
  • fire fighting
  • smoke-diving

Status

Published

Report number

P21-309/99

Research group

  • Thermal Environment Laboratory

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 91-7253-036-7