Available online
Description
Physiological adaptations to arctic conditions among a group of air crew men undergoing a survival course are examined.
Physiological adaptations to arctic conditions among a group of air crew men undergoing a survival course are examined.
| Module code and title: | S321, Physiology of cells and organisms |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S321; 12 |
| First transmission date: | 04-08-1974 |
| Published: | 1974 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:20:00 |
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| Producer: | John Groom |
| Contributors: | Richard Holmes; RAF winter survival School |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Cooling mechanisms; Insulating layers; Physiological adaptation; RAF; Winter survival course |
| Footage description: | The programme consists mainly of film shots showing air crewmen undergoing a survival course at the R.A.F. Winter Survival School, Germany. Commentary over film shots by Richard Holmes. Several shots of deer and seals. Holmes discusses the insulating properties of fur. Shots of air crew erecting a double layer tent using parachutes and also preparing a bed using an inflated dinghy. Shots of aircrew digging a snow shelter. Insulative properties of air crew clothing examined. Holmes points out that thermal insulation must be variable to cope with the different loads put on it by changes in atmospheric temperature and the physical activity of air crew members. Holmes discusses some of the problems which arise as a result. Shots of arctic dogs. Their thermal regulatory mechanism is examined. Shots of seals cooling themselves. Diagrams of bloodvessels close to the seal's skin show this mechanism at work. The human cooling mechanism is examined and its drawbacks under arctic conditions are discussed. Continued shots of the survival school Holmes' commentary and that of the participants discuss the importance of keeping dry. They indicate some methods for achieving this. The dangers of vasodilation in air ctic conditions are examined. Problems of adequate fluid intake under arctic conditions are discussed. Symptoms and problems of dehydration are examined. The importance of appropriate food intake - that which produces a high metabolic rate and metabolic water - under arctic conditions, is examined. Richard Holmes sums up. Survival School C. O. sums up. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71504 |
| Production number: | 00525_1116 |
| Videofinder number: | 1830 |
| Available to public: | no |
