In addition to the performance requirements specified in the International
Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, there are some data available which illustrate the
performance of the equipment at different water temperatures. Thermal protective
performance for the various types of equipment at these temperatures is defined as the
time to reach a deep body temperature of 35°C or reduce a deep body temperature by 2°C,
which is the point at which a significant degree of incapacitation is expected to occur.
These data were obtained by a combination of theoretical and experimental methods. While
based upon the best information available, they are provided for comparison purposes
only. Individual results may vary greatly based on sea conditions, body type, etc.
Table 1 Thermal protective
performance by type of personal life-saving appliances
|
Thermal protective means. (Clothing is generally included)
|
IMO minimum test requirements
|
|
Time (hrs) for core temperature drop of 2°C or to 35°C when exposed to
water of temperature
|
|
Time (h)
|
Water temp. (°C)
|
|
0° C
|
5° C
|
10° C
|
20° C
|
| Lifejacket
|
–*
|
–
|
|
–
|
0.5 h
|
0.8 h
|
1.7 h
|
| Thermal protective (TP)
lifejacket
|
2 h
|
10
|
0.5
h
|
0.75
h
|
2 h
|
4 h
|
| Anti-exposure suit
|
1 h
|
5
|
1.5
h
|
2
h
|
4 h
|
10 h
|
| Immersion suit uninsulated
|
1 h
|
5
|
1.5
h
|
2
h
|
5 h
|
>12 h
|
| Immersion suit insulated
|
6 h
|
2
|
6
h
|
>12
h
|
>12 h
|
>12 h
|
| * No IMO requirements
|