PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-636

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 636

NOVEMBER 2005
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-636 - Page 29 of 33
PS 636
NOV 05
54
Clothing…
c
ombat vehicle crewmen (CVC) and air crewmen, mind if we ask you a personal
question? Just what are you wearing under your aramid (fire-resistant fiber) cover-
alls this winter?
No, we’re not being nosy, just con-
cerned. Truth is, if you’re caught in a
vehicle or aircraft fire, your underwear
plays a crucial role in keeping you alive.
Aramid fibers can withstand temper-
atures up to 700°F. But polypropy-
lene—the material found in some cold
weather undershirts and drawers—
melts at less than half that temperature.
In a fire, aramid can transfer enough
heat to your polypropylene underwear
to melt it to your skin. A fire you might
otherwise survive becomes a death trap.
Never wear polypropylene cold
weather undershirts and drawers in your
combat vehicle or aircraft. Same goes
for lightweight polyester cold weather
undershirts and drawers. Polyester’s
another material that can melt. Neither
are authorized for CVC, air crews and
other personnel who wear fire-resistant
uniforms.
Read your underwear labels. If your underwear
contains polypropylene or polyester, don’t wear them
with your fire-resistant uniform. If you’re not sure
what they’re made of, don’t wear them.
Now that you know what not to wear, just what
should you be slipping into? For CVC, extreme cold
weather undershirts and drawers are good choices.
They’re 100% cotton. The natural cotton fibers won’t
melt, and they also help keep heat away from your
body in a tank fire. Air crewmen should wear the fly-
ers’ undershirt and drawers made out of aramid
fibers. Aramid is designed to resist flames and not to
melt. Both types of underwear are authorized for use
by CVC and air crewmen.
doesn’t
matter if it’s
underwear
or a leisure
suit…
no
polyester!
more cotton
and aramid
underwear
nsns are on
the next
page…
Size
Extreme Cold Weather
Undershirt (100% cotton)
X-small
Small
Medium
Large
X-large
NSN 8415-
01-051-1174
00-270-2012
00-270-2013
00-270-2014
00-270-2015
636.54-55(C).qxd
9/29/05
5:08 PM
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