Cooling Garment for First Aid Responders

Abstract

First responders, including police officers, paramedics and firefighters, often have to wear heavy protective personal equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time, often in high-temperature conditions. While PPE is essential for protecting against physical, chemical and other hazards, it can interfere with the body’s natural cooling mechanisms, posing a significant risk of heat-related stress. To address this issue, wearable cooling solutions have been developed over the past few decades. However, current solutions are often limited in terms of duration, overall effectiveness and comfort.

This thesis focuses on enhancing thermal dissipation and user comfort by exploring the potential of liquid cooling with larger surface-area cooling elements. The proposed design involves a material that distributes the cooling medium more effectively than commercial systems. The material has a special internal structure that guides the flow of the medium across the entire area. It has been integrated into a garment designed with the needs of first aid responders in mind. It is quick and easy to put on, comfortable and adjustable for a good fit. Samples of the material and a prototype were tested under various conditions, demonstrating enhanced cooling capacity and user comfort.