WET SUITS 



295 



DEVELOPMENT AND FABRICATION 



First Wet-Suit Model 



An unhealed pressure-compensated wet suit was constructed initially to check the suit de- 

 sign and fit. This suit was tailor-made to fit CAPT E. L. Beckman and was tested at NMRI. 

 Some design changes were indicated. Most of the changes were minor and do not deserve dis- 

 cussion. The most important change was to add the nylon inner lining for ease of donning and 

 doffing. 



The evaluation of the first suit model was generally favorable. The insulating material was 

 said to feel considerably softer to the skin than unicellular neoprene. The suit enabled CAPT 

 Beckman to have good mobility in the water. Mobility was not as good in air as it was in the 

 water. 



The first wet-suit model was tested to observe the delamination pressure, 

 were as shown in Table 42. 



The results 



Table 42 

 DELAMINATION PRESSURES OF 

 FIRST WET-SUIT MODEL 



Mark I, Mod. Suit 



The second prototype evaluated was electrically heated as well as pressure compensated. 

 The first snag- suit model was evaluated along with this wet suit at NMRI. Pattern alterations 

 were required because of a tighter fit than the first suit around the arms and legs. This tight- 

 ness was due to the increased modulus of elongation caused by the resistance wires, which were 

 not present in the first suit. Other fit and styling alterations were minor. The heat distribu- 

 tion in the mitt had to be redesigned because the original design provided too much heat in the 

 thumb. Originally, 7-1/2 watts were applied to the thumb. This was changed to 3-3/4 watts. 

 It was decided to color-code the electrical leads from the suit to the switch box. The revised 

 version of the second wet-suit model became the Mark I, Mod. I suit. 



Time did not permit further suit development. Most important, it did not permit extensive 

 laboratory and field tests. Likewise, there was virtually no development time for the battery 

 pack or the power controls. The prototypes had to be constructed from the first design without 

 extensive test and evaluation. 



The Mark I, Mod. electrically heated suit was tested to destruction for delamination 

 pressure at Washington, Indiana. The suit was worn by a subject and inflated with air, part by 

 part, until each suit part delaminated. The results were as shown in Table 43. 



Carbon Tape Heater Attempt 



Although the decision to use resistance wires had been made, an attempt to fabricate at 

 least a few mitts heated with carbon tape was made. This development was abandoned because 

 of technological difficulties. A carbon-glass tape especially woven and supplied through the 



