open access

Vol 72, No 3 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2021-02-20
Accepted: 2021-08-16
Published online: 2021-09-29
Get Citation

Comparison of insulation provided by dry or wetsuits among recreational divers during cold water immersion ( < 5°C)

Pierre Lafère1234, François Guerrero14, Peter Germonpré135, Costantino Balestra13678
·
Pubmed: 34604992
·
IMH 2021;72(3):217-222.
Affiliations
  1. DAN Europe Research Division
  2. Department of Anaesthesiology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
  3. Environmental, Occupational, Ageing (Integrative) Physiology Laboratory, Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), Brussels, Belgium
  4. Optimisation des Régulations Physiologiques (ORPHY), EA 4324, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
  5. Centre for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Military Hospital «Queen Astrid», Brussels, Belgium
  6. Anatomical Research and Clinical Studies (ARCS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (V.U.B.), Brussels, Belgium
  7. Anatomical Research Training and Education (ARTE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (V.U.B.), Brussels, Belgium
  8. Motor Sciences, Université Libre De Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Brussels, Belgium

open access

Vol 72, No 3 (2021)
DIVING/UNDERWATER MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2021-02-20
Accepted: 2021-08-16
Published online: 2021-09-29

Abstract

Background: Divers thermal status influences susceptibility to decompression sickness hence the need for proper insulation during immersion in cold water. However, there is a lack of data on thermal protection provided by diving suits, hence this study.
Materials and methods: Two different groups of divers wearing either a wetsuit (n = 15) or a dry suit (n = 15) volunteered for this study. Anthropometric data and dive experience were recorded; skin temperatures at the cervical-supraclavicular (C-SC) area and hands were assessed through high-resolution thermal infrared imaging taken pre- and post-dive.
Results: As far as anthropometrics, pre-dive C-SC temperatures (37.0 ± 0.4°C), depth (dry: 43 ± 4.6 mfw vs. wet: 40.3 ± 4.0 mfw) and water temperature exposure (4.3°C) are concerned, both groups were comparable. Total dive time was slightly longer for dry suit divers (39.6 ± 4.0 min vs. 36.5 ± 4.1 min, p = 0.049). Post-dive, C-SC temperature was increased in dry suit divers by 0.6 ± 0.6°C, and significantly decreased in wetsuit divers by 0.8 ± 0.6°C. The difference between groups was highly significant (dry: 37.5 ± 0.7°C vs. wet: 36.2 ± 0.7°C, p = 0.004). Hand’s temperature decreased significantly in both groups (dry: 30.3 ± 1.2°C vs. wet: 29.8 ± 0.8°C, p = 0.33). Difference between groups was not significant.
Conclusions: Medium-duration immersion in cold water (< 5°C), of healthy and fully protected subjects was well tolerated. It was demonstrated that proper insulation based on a three-layer strategy allows maintaining or even slightly improve thermal balance. However, from an operational point of view, skin extremities are not preserved.

Abstract

Background: Divers thermal status influences susceptibility to decompression sickness hence the need for proper insulation during immersion in cold water. However, there is a lack of data on thermal protection provided by diving suits, hence this study.
Materials and methods: Two different groups of divers wearing either a wetsuit (n = 15) or a dry suit (n = 15) volunteered for this study. Anthropometric data and dive experience were recorded; skin temperatures at the cervical-supraclavicular (C-SC) area and hands were assessed through high-resolution thermal infrared imaging taken pre- and post-dive.
Results: As far as anthropometrics, pre-dive C-SC temperatures (37.0 ± 0.4°C), depth (dry: 43 ± 4.6 mfw vs. wet: 40.3 ± 4.0 mfw) and water temperature exposure (4.3°C) are concerned, both groups were comparable. Total dive time was slightly longer for dry suit divers (39.6 ± 4.0 min vs. 36.5 ± 4.1 min, p = 0.049). Post-dive, C-SC temperature was increased in dry suit divers by 0.6 ± 0.6°C, and significantly decreased in wetsuit divers by 0.8 ± 0.6°C. The difference between groups was highly significant (dry: 37.5 ± 0.7°C vs. wet: 36.2 ± 0.7°C, p = 0.004). Hand’s temperature decreased significantly in both groups (dry: 30.3 ± 1.2°C vs. wet: 29.8 ± 0.8°C, p = 0.33). Difference between groups was not significant.
Conclusions: Medium-duration immersion in cold water (< 5°C), of healthy and fully protected subjects was well tolerated. It was demonstrated that proper insulation based on a three-layer strategy allows maintaining or even slightly improve thermal balance. However, from an operational point of view, skin extremities are not preserved.

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Keywords

diving, cold water immersion, body insulation, wetsuits, dry suit, thermal imaging

About this article
Title

Comparison of insulation provided by dry or wetsuits among recreational divers during cold water immersion (< 5°C)

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 72, No 3 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

217-222

Published online

2021-09-29

Page views

6861

Article views/downloads

849

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2021.0040

Pubmed

34604992

Bibliographic record

IMH 2021;72(3):217-222.

Keywords

diving
cold water immersion
body insulation
wetsuits
dry suit
thermal imaging

Authors

Pierre Lafère
François Guerrero
Peter Germonpré
Costantino Balestra

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