Appendix 2 to ETSO-2C502 – Integrated Immersion Suit System Performance Testing

1. Purpose

1.1 These tests are to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the integrated immersion suit system.

2. Test conditions

2.1 The following tests shall be conducted in calm water. The water temperature shall be 25±2°C (77±4°F).

2.2 Pass/fail criteria

All samples shall pass all objective tests to meet the requirements of ETSO-2C502 Integrated Immersion Suits. However, due to the high variability between subjects and the difficulty in assessing some subjective measures, it is permitted that an integrated immersion suit does not completely meet the requirements of the following subjective tests in a single example and in no more than in one test subject. In these circumstances, two other subjects within the same weight category and with the same sex should be subjected to the same test. If this additional test is still not clearly passed then the integrated immersion suit shall be deemed to have failed, whilst if it is clearly passed then it may be deemed to have passed the test overall.

3. Performance tests

3.1 Jump Test.

Each test subject shall perform a jump test in accordance with paragraph 3.11.6.1 of EN ISO 15027-3:2002.

3.2 Turning Test

Each test subject shall perform a turning test in accordance with paragraph 3.11.6.3 of EN ISO 15027-3:2002.

3.3 Escape Test Underwater

Each test subject shall be required to swim through an opening not greater than 430mm x 355mm (17in x 14in) (minimum acceptable size of helicopter escape window) positioned with the top of the opening at least 300mm (12in) below the surface of the water with the suit uninflated. At least one of the subjects for this test shall be required to have a shoulder width measurement of at least 500mm (19.7in).

3.4 Swim Test

Each test subject wearing the integrated suit and clothing shall swim on their back for 20 minutes. The hands and arms shall be kept in the water even if not being used for propulsion. Each test subject shall then board a liferaft fitted with boarding facilities, without undue effort and without assistance, with the suit sealed, inflated and the sprayhood deployed. The pool used shall be of sufficient size and depth to prevent the subject gaining assistance by "pushing off" from the side or bottom while performing this test.

3.5 Freeboard

Immediately following the swim test, the clearance of each test subject's face above the water shall be measured, with the subject behaving normally and when simulating unconsciousness. The clearance of the mouth (mouth freeboard) shall be a minimum of 120mm (4.7in) above the waterline in both cases. It shall be established that the nose freeboard is not less than the mouth freeboard.

3.6 Floating position

The angle of the test subject's body shall be measured by an appropriate method. The angle between the body and the horizontal shall be recorded and shall not be greater than 60°.

3.7 Field of vision

The wearer's field of vision shall not be unduly restricted when tested in accordance with paragraph 3.11.6.6 of EN ISO 15027-3:2002

[Amdt ETSO/1]