Abstract
Thermal protection of wet suits for aquatic sport (surfing, snorkelling, outdoor swimming) is impacted by design (stretch and fit, type of seams, design of openings) as water coming in and flushing between the skin and suit dramatically increases body heat loss. We developed a test protocol for measuring thermal resistance of a suit on a human subject while performing an activity in water. Six surf suits were compared and two swimming suits differing by thickness and stretch of neoprene, type of seams and neck design.
Highlights
Thermal protection of wet suits for aquatic sport (surfing, snorkelling, outdoor swimming) is impacted by design (stretch and fit, type of seams, design of openings) as water coming in and flushing between the skin and suit dramatically increases body heat loss
Thermal protection of wet suits for aquatic sport is impacted by design as water coming in and flushing between the skin and suit dramatically increases body heat loss
(2) The difference on thermal resistance between active and rest condition is due to water entrance into the suit induced by activity, which we characterised by a leak resistance (m2.K.W-1) in parallel with resistance of rest condition, out of which an effective leak flow was calculated
Summary
Thermal protection of wet suits for aquatic sport (surfing, snorkelling, outdoor swimming) is impacted by design (stretch and fit, type of seams, design of openings) as water coming in and flushing between the skin and suit dramatically increases body heat loss. Water temperature is between 18 and 24°C, no regulation required. Ultra-thin and sensitive heat flux sensors (Captec, size 10mmx 10mmx 0.6mm, 3μV.W-1.m-2) measuring heat loss (W.m-2) and temperature (°C) are taped on skin of a human subject (19 sensors in total: torso front 5, torso back 5, arm 4, leg 5).
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