an accurate "HOME EXPOSURE ENDURANCE TEST"

**erunkiswldrnssurvival** · 04-19-2009, 08:57 PM

if you could take an online endurance test to asses your weather exposure limits in a safe manner, how accurate do you think it would be. the tests would be conducted in the cold, in the rain,in the blazing sun,ect,, at your home. what things are important to know? dehydration rates,intolerance to cold,the length of time that your skin begins to sunburn, my fingers get cold in x mins.ect.. what would you include if you designed the test?

**Alpine_Sapper** · 04-19-2009, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by erunkiswldrnssurvival

if you could take an online endurance test to asses your weather exposure limits in a safe manner, how accurate do you think it would be. the tests would be conducted in the cold, in the rain,in the blazing sun,ect,, at your home. what things are important to know? dehydration rates,intolerance to cold,the length of time that your skin begins to sunburn, my fingers get cold in x mins.ect.. what would you include if you designed the test?

I would definitely include a disclaimer and a statement on the types of exposure related issues that can occur. For example, telling someone to go sit in the blazing 110 degree texas heat until they feel they can't take it anymore will probably get you sued. However, informing them of the first signs of heat exhaustion and the subsequent (usually) heat stroke, and then informing them of the correct actions to take against it, will be a better idea. That way, even if they can keep going (like most people) through the beginnings of heat exhaustion, they need to be aware of the situation and that pushing themselves further could potentially be fatal if there is no one there to assist if they do succumb and pass out. They then know what to look for when performing the test, and how to remedy the situation during the test and afterwards. It'll be good field experience.

I'd do the same thing for the cold, explaining things like capillary refill test and how it's used if chillblains are expected (yes, I know it's unreliable for the most part), what are the first signs of frostbite, etc.

**erunkiswldrnssurvival** · 04-19-2009, 09:28 PM

yea tests like that would be simple, for sun, how long does it take for you to begin sweating? expose your self until you are thirsty. drink one glass of water , how long until you need another drink,end test(get your drink) use those time frames to determine you sun exposure stamina.

**crashdive123** · 04-19-2009, 09:30 PM

There are so many factors that will affect how one reacts/sucumbs to external environmental conditions. Hydration, diet, cardio conditioning, BMI, medical conditions, age, ..... the list goes on and on. I'm not saying you can't develop a test, I just can't offer any recommendations on how to go about it. Think about how the Standardized Dive Tables were developed - sailors that "volunteered" to see what the affects of time vs depth would have on the body. What affects one person one way will affect another in a different way. I've been diving with people that have gotten narced in 30 feet of water.

**erunkiswldrnssurvival** · 04-19-2009, 09:36 PM

thats true, i often test my winter gear before using it for work. like my boots, i go out on a cold nite and see how long it takes for the cold to penetrate the boot but that is only a general figure. and the socks

**erunkiswldrnssurvival** · 04-19-2009, 09:46 PM

a cold test could run like this... how long does it take for your fingers to get cold in 28 to 32 degree temps do it again only this time expose your fingers to wind at the same range of temps, record times. wear your gloves this time expose until your fingers are cold, repeat the test in wind, record the times.