Smart survival garments produce heat when immersed

Iron Ocean worked with the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) to design and develop the Centurion 3 which is made from an innovative fabric that provides heat when immersed in water. Throughout the project Iron Ocean worked with Heriot-Watt University to develop the innovative smart materials that are incorporated into the Centurion 3, which either individually or in combination, can provide new offshore survival garments that withstand even the harshest conditions.

The three-layer upper body garment produces heat when immersed in cold water and is designed to be worn under the traditional offshore survival suit. The garment gives the wearer increased mobility and protection as current garments worn under the survival suit do not provide active heating. The newly developed material incorporated into Centurion 3 immediately activates when it comes in contact with water and produces a heat output above the average body temperature for more than 20 minutes. The self-heating material therefore allows the wearer to retain body heat, during a critical period, preventing the fatal effects of cold water immersion.

Simon Lamont, founder of Iron Ocean, commented, “I came up with the initial concept of the Centurion 3 following the 2009 Super Puma crash. I realised something had to be done to protect workers from the harsh elements of the North Sea in the event of an offshore incident. OGIC’s support at the very beginning of this journey was invaluable, having their backing opened the door for me to work with the expertise of Heriot-Watt University and provided the technical expertise to make my idea a reality.

“With all of our prototype garments now complete, the next step for us is to introduce the Centurion 3 to market so it can begin saving lives offshore. There is also great potential to bring this innovative technology to other industries including leisure, military and maritime to improve safety in harsh environments.”

Professor David Bucknall from Heriot-Watt said: “We were delighted to get involved in such an innovative project which will help save lives.”