BIO

Hi, my name is Steven Bernal-Diaz, I was raised in Miami, Florida. I am currently a pre-med student here at FSU majoring in psychology. After completing my undergraduate degree, my ultimate goal is to attend medical school and specialize in plastic surgery. My particular interest lies in the field of facial reconstruction as our face is a crucial aspect of how we present ourselves to the world. One of my main aspirations was to participate in research, and I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to do so with the guidance of Dr. Meredith McQuerry. The research project I am currently involved in focuses on evaluating the performance of warfighter personal protective equipment in subarctic conditions. This research holds significant importance, as it will impact the combat readiness of the brave men and women who protect our country daily. I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support of Dr. McQuerry and the opportunities provided to me by Florida State University. I hope to continue conducting research and contributing to the scientific community in the future.

Evaluation of Warfighter PPE in Subarctic Conditions

Abstract

Temperatures in the arctic can dip below -35 °C (-31 °F) and
wind speeds can reach up to 40 mph, creating a wind chill below -100 °Celsius (-148 °F) (Antarctica Conditions Fact Sheet,1997). Helicopter pilots are protected from with these subarctic temperatures by wearing restrictive, insulated, multi-layered clothing to keep warm. Not only is this uncomfortable for the pilot, but it also exacerbates the difficulty of flying the helicopter. In this study, a proprietary heated garment system with heating mechanisms running throughout the inside of the clothing is being assessed for its ability to heat soldiers and thereby reduce the need for such bulky, prohibitive clothing insulation.. This is especially important in the extremities such as the hands where finger dexterity is crucial to operating the helicopter. Therefore, the purpose of this testing was to measure the thermal and evaporative resistance of three cold-weather warfighter ensembles and a single heated base layer ensemble, without powered heat, to establish baseline resistance measures for each ensemble.

Keywords: Subarctic War fighting equipment