Comparing the Effect of Two Portable Cooling Vests on Physiological Parameters under Hot Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Personal protective clothing (PPC) can cause heat strain. The purpose of this study was Heat strain control by two portable cooling vests under wearing vapor protective suit and hot condition. An experimental study was conducted in a climatic chamber on 15 male students under warm conditions (ambient temperature =40°C, relative humidity=40%). Each participant performed the test without a cooling vest and with Spadana (Of 70% cotton and 30% polyester with 10 pockets for PCM: Hydrogel packages and a total weight of 2.3kg) and Techkewl-7026 (100% cotton with 4 pockets for PCM packages and a total weight of 2 / 2kg) phase change material cooling vests. The activity rate on a treadmill was light (2.8km/h) and the test lasted 30 minutes for each stage. Cooling effects were evaluated by measuring heart rate, oral temperature and skin temperature. Results showed that the mean and standard deviation for heart rate, oral temperature and skin temperature with a Spadana cooling vest were 100.55 (8.12)(bpm), 36.83 (0.25)°C and 31.52(1.85)°C, respectively, and for Techkewl-7026 cooling vests were 103.64 (10.9)(bpm), 36.98(0.34)°C and 34.2 (1.4)°C, respectively, and for without cooling vest were 113.33(11.23)(bpm), 37.05(0.35) °C and 37.93(0.48) °C, respectively . The difference between parameters with cooling vests and without cooling vest was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The use of Spadana and Techkewl-7026 phase change material cooling vests can reduce thermal stress through a reduction in heart rate, oral temperature, skin temperature and sweating rate.

Keywords

• cooling vest, phase change materials, heat strain, hot and dry conditions