Comparison of heat loss with a wetsuit vs. without Heat Loss Comparison Comparison of heat loss with a wetsuit vs. without Steven Swan & Chad Horch

Assumptions for Modeling Heat Transfer Wetsuits Neoprene suit worn to insulate a swimmer while in cold water conditions. Thicknesses range between 2-8mm Styles can be full body (including head) or knee length and short sleeve Assumptions for Modeling Heat Transfer Human body assumed to be a cylinder with circumference equal to the persons waist size for modeling flow Body temperature is assumed to be a constant surface temp (310 K or 98.6 F) An average surface are used for male (1.9 m^2) and female (1.6 m^2) Restricted to lake water, or water moving at .03 m/s Full body wetsuit is assumed – 90% of surface area K of neoprene = .054 w/m*k

Affects of Wearing a Wetsuit Wetsuit adds an insulating layer that changes the thermal circuit Trapped water near the skin can be assumed to be at the body temperature and can be neglected as the layer is thin Run Calculator