Development of Comprehensive Performance Standards for Underwater Breathing Apparatus

Author(s):  
Dan E. Warkander ◽  
Cales E. G. Lundgren
2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
pp. 578-585
Author(s):  
Victory C. Madu ◽  
Heather Carnahan ◽  
Robert Brown ◽  
Kerri-Ann Ennis ◽  
Kaitlyn S. Tymko ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: This study was intended to determine the effect of skin cooling on breath-hold duration and predicted emergency air supply duration during immersion.METHODS: While wearing a helicopter transport suit with a dive mask, 12 subjects (29 ± 10 yr, 78 ± 14 kg, 177 ± 7 cm, 2 women) were studied in 8 and 20°C water. Subjects performed a maximum breath-hold, then breathed for 90 s (through a mouthpiece connected to room air) in five skin-exposure conditions. The first trial was out of water for Control (suit zipped, hood on, mask off). Four submersion conditions included exposure of the: Partial Face (hood and mask on); Face (hood on, mask off); Head (hood and mask off); and Whole Body (suit unzipped, hood and mask off).RESULTS: Decreasing temperature and increasing skin exposure reduced breath-hold time (to as low as 10 ± 4 s), generally increased minute ventilation (up to 40 ± 15 L · min−1), and decreased predicted endurance time (PET) of a 55-L helicopter underwater emergency breathing apparatus. In 8°C water, PET decreased from 2 min 39 s (Partial Face) to 1 min 11 s (Whole Body).CONCLUSION: The most significant factor increasing breath-hold and predicted survival time was zipping up the suit. Face masks and suit hoods increased thermal comfort. Therefore, wearing the suits zipped with hoods on and, if possible, donning the dive mask prior to crashing, may increase survivability. The results have important applications for the education and preparation of helicopter occupants. Thermal protective suits and dive masks should be provided.Madu VC, Carnahan H, Brown R, Ennis K-A, Tymko KS, Hurrie DMG, McDonald GK, Cornish SM, Giesbrecht GG. Skin cooling on breath-hold duration and predicted emergency air supply duration during immersion. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(7):578–585.


1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-131
Author(s):  
F. Lux ◽  
H. Stumpf

Abstract Current demands by the consumer, the automobile industry, and the environment have determined the basis of this investigation. In the past, the requirements—ever faster, ever sportier—were accepted as decisive parameters for the development of our study. In the future, rational and safety-related tire characteristics as well as environmental consciousness will increase, whereas purely performance-related parameters will diminish in their importance. Through our light-weight tire project, we have paved the way for future tire generations. The first priority is the minimal use of material resources; this means a reduction of materials and energy in tire production by using advanced design and production methods without sacrificing performance standards. This benefits the consumer—the final judge of all of our activities—by considerably reducing the rolling resistance, leading to lower fuel consumption. Further design targets include the improvement of rolling behavior and increased comfort by reducing tire weight, and therefore a reduction in unsprung masses on the vehicle.


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