Over many years, hundreds and thousands of people have drowned in cold water. Immersion suits, also known as survival suits, are designed to 'reduce thermal shock when entered into cold water, delay the onset of hypothermia during immersion in cold water, provide acceptable flotation and lessen the risk of drowning.' Immersion suits are also termed as constant wear suits and abandonment suits.
The importance of such a lifesaving appliance has been demonstrated in various sea accidents, where such suits have saved many human lives. Immersion suits are commonly used in several vital occupations (e.g., pilots, helicopter and marine passengers, and offshore oil industry workers). The applicable conditions of immersion suits may be as low as 0℃ (sea water freezes below 0℃) or as high as 100℃ (flame can cause the rise of water temperature). Over the past decades, signs of progress have been made in improving the performance of immersion suits.
Insulation properties of immersion suits are highly relevant to the constructed textile materials and fabric structures. Usually, immersion suits are made with a waterproof outer shell fabric and an inner liner, which provides us the immersed thermal insulation values. Apart from the suit, accessories and undergarments are worn following the layered suits, i.e., helmet and un-inflated flying gloves, top and bottom, long cotton underwear, woolen socks, flying leather summer boots, and an inflated life vest. Fit is one of the primary and essential issues for immersion suits to give a person sufficient thermal protection. Universal-size immersion suits, which are designed to fit people with different ranges of heights and weights, can lead to leaking near neck and wrist seals or at the zippers. Immersion suits have various applications (e.g., personal protection, transportation, military, and the oil industry). They come under different frameworks of legal regulations, which government research institutes and international organizations make.
The people who wear immersion suits or survival suits may come in contact with multi-hazard environments, not only cold water but also hot liquids and flames under some extreme circumstances. Western Fire Safety manufactures certified flexible immersion suits and imperial immersion suits. Visit their website https://www.westernfireandsafety.com/ and check their various Immersion suits offered by them.
