Wet military uniforms pose low risk of hypothermia while static in mild cold air

Wet clothing is less insulative than dry clothing and consequently increases heat loss in cold air. Tactical necessity can render removal of wet clothing impossible and/or require Warfighters to remain static to avoid detection, limiting heat production and posing a threat of hypothermia (core tempe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism nutrition, and metabolism, 2024-12, Vol.49 (12), p.1763-1772
Main Authors: Seeley, Afton D, Bodurtha, Phillip O, Greenfield, Andrew M, Pitsas, Dina M, Shaw, MariaLena A, Caldwell, Aaron R, Alba, Billie K, Castellani, John W, O'Brien, Catherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Body Temperature - physiology
Body Temperature Regulation
Cold
Cold Temperature
Female
Heat
Humans
Hypothermia
Hypothermia - prevention & control
Male
Military Personnel
Uniforms
Walking - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Wet clothing is less insulative than dry clothing and consequently increases heat loss in cold air. Tactical necessity can render removal of wet clothing impossible and/or require Warfighters to remain static to avoid detection, limiting heat production and posing a threat of hypothermia (core temperature  0.999) were reduced by ∼20-23 °C posing a considerable dexterity concern. Heat production of ∼210 W·m appeared sufficient to begin to reverse negative cumulative heat storage and initiate slight elevations of rectal and peripheral temperatures, although finger temperatures increased 
ISSN:1715-5312
1715-5320
1715-5320
DOI:10.1139/apnm-2024-0180