PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND PERFORMANCE DURING AND AFTER A SIMULATED PARACHUTE DESCENT IN COLD AND WINDY CLIMATES
Rissanen S, Mäkinen T, Rintamäki H, Aatsalo O, Kuronen P
Contact information:
Rissanen Sirkka, PhD
Oulu Regional Institute of Occupational Health
Thermal responses and manual performance were studied during and after a simulated parachute descending (SPD) in the cold. Seven male fighter pilots performed SPD at ambient temperature of ?35 °C and wind speed of 10 m·s-1 for 8 min and were exposed after that to ?20 °C and calm for 60 min (CE). Clothing was the flight garment (F/18) for winter conditions. During SPD the subjects performed basic survival actions. Skin and rectal (Tre) temperatures were measured. Manual dexterity was tested during CE. Mean skin temperature was about 27 °C at the end of SPD and CE. Finger skin temperature was 7 and 9 °C at the end of SPD and CE, respectively. Cheek skin temperature ranged from 3.2 to 13.8 °C during SPD. Tre was maintained at acceptable level during SPD and CE. The subjects could perform the tasks required at the beginning of SPD, while finger dexterity was impaired during CE. In conclusion, the subjects could tolerate the 8-min SPD in studied conditions without a loss of performance, despite very low extremity temperatures. Risk of frostbites on uncovered skin area was apparent during SPD. Manual dexterity was slightly deteriorated during the 60-min CE, however the pilots were able to perform the required tasks.
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