Authors: O'Hara, Reginald¹; Eveland, Ed¹; Fortuna, Sarah¹; Reilly, Patricia¹; Pohlman, Roberta²

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 173, Number 7, July 2008 , pp. 653-657(5)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

Objective: The goals were to review the effectiveness of current cooling technologies used on the battlefield to reduce or to prevent heat illness in soldiers and to discuss possible alternative or improved cooling methods. Methods: A search of the literature for 1990-2007 was performed by using the Air Force Institute of Technology and Air Force Research Laboratory search engines. Results: Several current cooling technologies are modestly effective in attenuating brain and core body temperatures, but the cooling effects are not sustained and the devices present operational problems. This review indicates that some current cooling devices are effective in lowering perceived efforts and lengthening maximal exercise time but are incompatible with current demands. Conclusions: Many of the cooling methods and devices detailed in the literature are impractical for use in the field. Future research should focus on cooling technologies that are practical in the battlefield and have sustainable cooling effects.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7947. 2: Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435.

Publication date: 2008-07-01

More about this publication?

• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
  
  Military Medicine's 5-year Impact Factor: 1.061
  
  
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