1. 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

2. 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

3. 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
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