Evaluation of two cooling systems under a firefighter coverall

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Thermal Physiology
• Protective Clothing Engineering

Background:

• Firefighters experience significant heat strain due to protective gear and strenuous activity.
• Effective cooling systems are crucial for mitigating heat-related illnesses in this high-risk profession.
• Existing cooling technologies require further investigation for efficacy under realistic firefighting conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the physiological and perceptual effects of two chest cooling systems for firefighters.
• To compare a water-soaked cooling pad vest and a water-perfused tube vest against a control condition.
• To assess the potential of these systems in reducing heat strain during simulated firefighting tasks.

Main Methods:

• Nine male subjects participated in a controlled study involving walking and recovery in hot conditions.
• Physiological parameters (heart rate, rectal temperature, skin temperature, fluid loss) were monitored.
• Perceptual data, including thermal sensation, comfort, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), were collected.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in heart rate or rectal temperature were observed between the cooling systems and the control.
• The water-perfused vest resulted in lower scapular skin temperature and reduced fluid loss compared to the other conditions.
• While the perfused vest offered a cooler thermal sensation, comfort and RPE scores were comparable across all conditions.

Conclusions:

• Both tested cooling systems provided limited cooling benefits, primarily affecting thermal sensation temporarily.
• The water-perfused vest demonstrated a modest advantage in reducing specific physiological strain indicators.
• Current chest cooling technologies may not fully meet the demands for substantial heat strain mitigation in firefighting.