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Selection of military survival gears using thermal manikin and computer survival model data

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Abstract

This study presents a practical example of the selection of protective equipment for 12-h cold survival on land and at sea using computer model and manikin data. The thermal immersion manikin was exposed to 19 realistic survival scenarios to estimate the thermal resistance of different survival systems. The computer survival model used specific environmental limits and anthropometric data from the target population in addition to the estimated manikin thermal resistance values to generate survival times. The results showed that the required 12-h survival time criteria were met for all dry land scenarios (>2 Clo), but not for wet land or water scenarios (<1 Clo). Those data provided the basis for the selection of survival equipment and the development of survival strategies for aircrew.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the kind provision of the anthropometric data by Mr. Pierre Meunier and the expert configuration of CESM for the present study by Mr. Allan Keefe, both of DRDC Toronto.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Defence R&D Canada—Toronto, 1133 Sheppard Ave. W., Toronto, Ontario, M3M 3B9, Canada

    M. B. Ducharme & P. Tikuisis

  2. The CORD Group Limited, 50A Mount Hope Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4K9, Canada

    P. Potter

Authors
  1. M. B. Ducharme
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  2. P. Tikuisis
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  3. P. Potter
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Correspondence to M. B. Ducharme.

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Ducharme, M.B., Tikuisis, P. & Potter, P. Selection of military survival gears using thermal manikin and computer survival model data. Eur J Appl Physiol 92, 658–662 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1140-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1140-3

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