Volume 4 Supplement 1
Modelling of human cooling in cold water: effect of immersion level
© Yermakova et al.; 2015
Published: 14 September 2015
Cold water immersion is a severe challenge for humans. Mathematical modelling of human thermoregulatory responses is an alternative approach to study cooling in water. Preliminary modelling prediction can be a useful tool for preventive steps that will help to decrease or even to avoid health hazard . The purpose of this study was to model core cooling rates in cold water for some immersion levels in humans.
The complexity of multi-compartmental models for human thermoregulation is realised as Information Technology (IT) in Borland C++ Builder 2010 . IT is a suitable tool that allows user to input individual data, water and air parameters, immersion level and physical exercise. Output data represent the dynamics of all local temperatures, muscles and skin blood flows, shivering, water convection, heat internal flows, heat losses, etc. Three levels of the human immersion in cold water were simulated: #1: whole body immersion; #2: head out of water; #3: head, arms and hands out of water. Water and air temperatures were 10 °C.
Modelling showed that evaluation of the safe time of human immersion in cold water depends on what part of body is immersed. Head out of water has principal effect on core cooling rate . Modelling showed that the "safe time" increased two-fold during head-out immersion. Removing the arms and hands from the water decreased core cooling but not in proportion of their surface area; head surface is 8 % while arms and hands are 19 % of the body surface.
Modelling prediction showed that thermoregulatory system is high sensitive to the immersion level of human in cold water. Surface out of water increases safe time of immersion. But head submersion has priority effect on core cooling. The results, when validated in all ranges, can be used for planning of rescue operations and development of protective clothing.
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