Validation of a human thermoregulatory model during prolonged immersion in warm water

This study validates the Six Cylinder Thermoregulatory Model (SCTM) during prolonged warm water immersion, which underpins the Probability of Survival Decision Aid (PSDA) currently in use by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). PSDA predicts survival time for hypothermia and dehydration. USCG has been using PSDA for search and rescue operation since 2010. In 2019, USCG organized a workshop to review PSDA performance and concluded that PSDA is an essential tool for operation, although it occasionally overestimates survival times in warm waters above 16 degrees C. Forty-six human subjects were immersed from the neck down in 18, 22, and 26 degrees C water for 45 min up to 10 h. Rectal temperature (Tcore), 10-site mean skin temperature (Tsk), and water loss were measured. At the end of immersion, Tcore ranged from 35.2 to 38.0 degrees C, and Tsk ranged from 19.7 to 27.4 degrees C. The SCTM-predicted Tcore, Tsk and water loss were compared to the measured values. Root mean squared deviation (RMSD) was used to test for acceptable predictions. Tcore RMSDs were 0.2, 0.14, and 0.3 degrees C in 18, 22, and 26 degrees C water respectively. Tsk RMSDs were 1.44, 0.76, and 1.1 degrees C in 18, 22, and 26 degrees C water respectively. SCTM underpredicted water loss by 84%. Overall, SCTM predicted Tcore and Tsk with acceptable accuracy in 18 and 22 degrees C water for up to 10 h, but overpredicted in 26 degrees C water. Future studies and algorithm development are required to improve water loss prediction as well as Tcore and Tsk prediction in 26 degrees C water.

Automated summary

This study validates the Six Cylinder Thermoregulatory Model (SCTM) in prolonged warm water immersion and compares the predicted values with the measured values. The results show that SCTM predicts core temperature and mean skin temperature accurately in 18 and 22 degrees C water for up to 10 h, but may overpredict in 26 degrees C water. Future studies and algorithm development are required to improve water loss prediction as well as core temperature and mean skin temperature prediction in 26 degrees C water.