THERim ASSESMSNT OF PERSONAL CONDITIOMNG GARMWTS

This paper presents a discussion of the thermal behaviour of personal conditioning garments both in theory and practice, A general equation, which is developed for the case of the convective air ventilated suit supplied with cccl sir, is modified for the cases of the water conditioned suit, and the air ventilated suit with wrm dry air supplies. Results of past experiments at the Institute of Aviation Medicine and the Royal Aircraft Establishment are reviewed with the aid of this theoretical approach. It is 00nOiuaea that there is a need for more systematic experiment23 ah on personal conditioning, especially on convective air cooling. The broad outline of a possible experimental. programme is discussed, including certain aspects which requirs new techniques to be developed. The potential performance of convective, evaporative, and liquid conditioning is predicted; but in view of the scarcity of useful data the results, which are presented in graphical form, are considered to be very tentative.