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Inherent work suit buoyancy distribution: effects on lifejacket self-righting performance.
Martin J Barwood1, Geoffrey M Long, Heather Lunt
1Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|September 9, 2014
Summary
When combined, work suits and life jackets (LJs) with inherent buoyancy may hinder self-righting performance. Testing safety equipment in combination is crucial for effective emergency response.
Area of Science:
- Occupational safety
- Marine safety
- Human factors engineering
Background:
- Cold water immersion poses occupational risks.
- Work suits and life jackets (LJs) must ensure airway clearance (freeboard) and self-righting.
- The study investigates the combined effect of suit and LJ buoyancy on performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of inherent buoyancy in work suits and LJs on wearer's freeboard and self-righting.
- To determine if combined buoyancy affects safety equipment performance.
- To assess the effectiveness of different buoyancy combinations in simulated cold water immersion.
Main Methods:
- Six participants underwent nine immersion trials with various suit and LJ combinations.
- Measurements included uninflated and inflated freeboard, and self-righting success.
- Buoyancy levels of flotation suits and LJs were systematically varied.
Main Results:
- All tested suits and LJs provided adequate freeboard.
- Self-righting was successful in most trials (43/54).
- Failures in self-righting (11/54) predominantly occurred when LJs with inherent buoyancy were used with a flotation suit.
Conclusions:
- LJs with inherent buoyancy performed less effectively for self-righting when paired with a buoyant work suit.
- Current safety equipment certification may not account for combined-use performance.
- Combined testing of occupational safety gear is recommended to ensure emergency effectiveness.
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