Take a deep breath. Do not look down. Count down from three. Jump. Immerse. Stay dry.
What comes to mind when you think of jumping into a winter lake, water temperature six degrees, height seven meters? Cool? Crazy? Or comfortable? What may sound like checking off an item on a personal bucket list, was a serious fitness for use test of immersion suits by Gore Associates at Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria. Completely dry on the inside, the test showed that the suits live up to their promise of being safe and comfortable, even in freezing conditions.
Immersion suits, also called survival suits, are lifesavers. They are designed to protect the wearer from hypothermia when immersed in freezing water or otherwise exposed to hostile climatic conditions. Aircrews flying over the open ocean, Navy Boarding Teams and offshore industry workers rely on the protection and comfort of constant wear immersion suits every day. The suits are worn in a variety of missions and conditions where exposure to freezing water over a longer period is a matter of operability or a workplace risk. Or in worst case the last line of defense in the fight for survival in the cold.
Lifesaving technology for the harshest condition
"We provide several types of customized laminates for these suits. The fabric technologies used depend on the needs of the end user and the industry standards that we must meet, but usually exceed," says Paul Jennewein, product specialist for FR defense solutions at Gore.
At the core of each laminate is Gore's most durable, highly breathable membrane technology which can withstand saltwater exposure, wear and tear in the harshest offshore conditions and extreme UV exposure. It is combined with customized fabric solutions ranging from high-tenacity nylon face fabrics to combinations with Gore's unique PYRAD® fabric technology for flame retardant properties.
air temperature 2 degrees celsius, water temperature 6 degrees celsius
Gore Associates from various functions tested several different suits, simulating ship abandonment in an informal setting that allowed room for trial and personal learning. The scenario involved the group jumping off the simulated ship one at a time from a height of about 7 meters, moving away from the hazard, huddling as a group in the lake, and swimming to shore without losing contact with the rest of the group.
Marine survival training to test worst-case scenarios
Similar drills - in a more formal setting, of course, and with additional equipment such as life jackets, life rafts, and other specialized survival gear - are regularly conducted by all end users of GORE-TEX immersion suits. From commercial helicopter crews serving the offshore industry, to Marines conducting amphibious warfare on NATO's northern flank, to workers operating and maintaining critical offshore infrastructure, marine survival training is an essential part of their training.
Although simplified and reduced to the minimal survival equipment available - the pure dry suit as the last remaining protection against exposure to freezing water - the exercise demonstrated the capabilities of the materials and the expertise of Gore's brand partners in their design.
Relentless pursuit of fitness for use
"What sounds like just a fun exercise is an essential part of our relentless pursuit of Fitness for Use at Gore," continues Jennewein. "It is one of our Core Values and a critical part of finding the right solution for the end user's application, identifying weaknesses, and providing inspiration for further improvement. Living this value requires a deep understanding of our own materials, the garments our customers make from them, and how the end use will use them. This is the only way we can help find the best solutions for their needs and the needs of our customers."
Even, or especially, when it means jumping into ice-cold water.
Fact Sheet:
- Location: Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany
- Date: March 1, 2024
- Air temperature: 2-7° C
- Water temperature: Approximately 6°C
- Laminated constructions: 4 different concepts
- Time in the water: 3 hours incl. break
