The effect of transportation suit induced heat stress on helicopter underwater escape preparation and task performance

Although essential in an emergency such as a helicopter ditching, mandatory survival suits worn by civilian personnel may lead to heat strain during a normal flight. To explore the possibility that wearing a helicopter transportation suit impairs emergency performance, 11 individuals completed underwater escape procedures immediately following a pre-recorded emergency announcement (randomly played between 50 and 90 min) in two ambient temperature conditions (Thermoneutral = 21 °C and Hot = 34 °C). Mean skin and rectal temperatures were recorded throughout the trials, while situation awareness and thermal sensation/comfort were recorded on completion of trials. Results indicate that although mean skin and rectal temperatures were significantly higher at the end of both trials, escape procedures were not impaired. It can therefore be concluded that although conditions inside an offshore transport helicopter are perceived as being hot and uncomfortable, no deficits in escape performance should be expected in the first 90 min of flight.