IMMERSION SUITS

Immersion suits and Anti-Exposure suits are constructed of highly visible waterproof materials fitted with retro-reflective tape and are designed to keep the wearer dry when in the water. They will incorporate seals at the neck or face to prevent the ingress of water. The wrists and legs will also have seals or will terminate in integral gloves and foot coverings.

The suit may either be made from an insulated material (to reduce the rate at which body heat is lost) or uninsulated depending on the area of operation of ship and the demands of the regulatory authority.

Immersion suits that meet the requirements for lifejackets with respect to flotation, righting moments, and attachments may be also be considered a lifejacket. Normally however, it is necessary to wear a lifejacket over the

immersion suit, care being taken that the two are compatible.

ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS

Anti-exposure suits are similar to immersion suits, but there are a few differences. They must provide at least 70 Newtons of buoyancy and be made of material that reduces the risk of heat stress during rescue and evacuation operations. Anti-exposure suits are provided with a lifejacket light and whistle and must be able to turn a person in the water from face-down to face-up in not more than five seconds.

PRACTICE

Personnel should practice donning and working in their suits and so become familiar with any limitations imposed on activity whilst wearing them. Before entering the water ensure that the suit is correctly fastened and not damaged . This is particularly significant if the suit is loose fitting. If incorrectly fastened or damaged, a loose fitting suit, when immersed, will fill with water and render the wearer at best immobile and at worst submerged. In practice, in rough seas, most suits will leak a little.

QUANTITY

The number of immersion suits or anti-exposure suits to be carried is as follows:

• one for each member of a rescue boat crew.

• one for each member of a fast rescue boat crew.

• one for each member of the operating crew of an open lifeboat, but not less than three suits for each open lifeboat.

• one for each person assigned to the marine evacuation system party.

On cargo vessels of less than 85m in length (other than tankers) that have no davit launched survival craft then each person on board must be provided with an immersion suit.

REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMERSION SUITS & ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS

• Without assistance, it can be unpacked and donned within two minutes.

• The wearer must be able to climb up and down a 5m vertical ladder.

• Without assistance the wearer must be able to correctly don a lifejacket.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS

• It will cover the whole body excepting the head & hands (and feet, where permitted by the administration). Gloves and hood are to be provided.

• It will contain a pocket suitable for carrying a portable VHF radio telephone.

• The wear must be able to swim at least 25m and board a survival craft.

• It will not sustain burning or continue to melt after being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of two seconds.

• After jumping 4.5 metres into the water the suit must not be damaged or dislodged.

• That it protects its wearer from rapidly losing body heat.

• The wearer must be able to complete normal abandonment duties.

• An uninsulated immersion suit is to be marked with instructions that it is to be worn in conjunction with warm clothing.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMERSION SUITS

• It will cover the whole body excepting the face.

• There is an arrangement to minimise the effect of free air in the leg of the suit (this is so that there is not excessive buoyancy in the legs causing them to be elevated above the body when in the water).

 The wearer must be able to swim a short distance and board a survival craft.

• After jumping 4.5 metres into the water there must not be undue ingress of water into the suit.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS

• It will cover the whole body excepting the head & hands (and feet, where permitted by the administration). Gloves and hood are to be provided.

• It will contain a pocket suitable for carrying a portable VHF radio telephone.

• The wear must be able to swim at least 25m and board a survival craft.

CARE OF THE SUITS

Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits should be carefully checked periodically.

1 Take the suit out of its storage bag and try it on. After wearing in the water, clean the suit thoroughly using luke warm fresh water. A mild soap may also be used. The suit should be allowed to drip dry.

2 Check all zippers for smooth operation. Any malfunctioning zipper should be replaced. Only the manufacturer or his authorised agent should make this repair.

3 Lubricate the zipper with paraffin wax or other approved grease.

4 Glue tears with the manufacturers recommended repair cement.

5 Store with zipper in the open position, with any straps fastened but loose and rescue harness (if fitted) undone.

6 Lay suit flat and roll from feet to head 一 cross arms- return to bag. Alternatively the suit may be stored on a hanger.

7 Store in a cool, dry area.

It is recommended that immersion suits are inspected by an authorised service station every twelve

months.