|
CONCLUSION
The heat category determines the work rest cycles in a training environment, thus the lower the heat
category the increased training time and the decreased amount of time for rest. In this study there was a significant difference in heat category by
shade and mist (p < 0.001). In 29 /30 measurements, the heat category was higher without mist in the sun (p < 0.001). In 18 /29 measurements, the heat category was higher without mist in the shade (p < 0.001).
People Misters were associated with statistically significant decreases in dry bulb temperature, globe-thermometer temperature, WBGT index and heat
category in both the sun and shade. Misters had no statistically significant effect on wet bulb temperature in either the sun or shade. Therefore the use of misting in direct sun light
during hard work (walking sand 2.5 mph w/load, field assaults) can drop the heat condition from a FIVE with a WBGT index of 90
F° & up with a 10 minutes of work and 50 minutes of rest to a lower heat category of a THREE with a WBGT index 85 F°-87.9 F° with 30 minutes of work and 30 minutes of rest.
Therefore a four-hour period of instruction performed in heat condition five requiring physical activity or hard work, such as a litter obstacle course, the actual training time will only be forty minutes. Three hours and twenty minutes is lost to excessive high heat training conditions. When utilizing misters in the
same conditions, the actual training time increases to two hours.
To maximize the training time in high heat conditions, the most effective scenario is the utilization of both shade and mist. While a heat category in direct sunlight remain a five with a WBGT index of 90 F° & up, with the use of shade and mist the heat category remains a one with a WBGT index of less than 82 F°
. A training unit requiring some form of physical exertion or hard work is now able to train for fifty minutes and rest for ten. In summary, the use of Soldier's Misters in high heat training conditions
allow soldiers enough time to train to standard, maximizing their survivability on the battlefield.
 |
|
