Impact of the Chemical Protective Ensemble on the Performance of Basic Medical Tasks

The purposes of this study were to measure the ability of medical specialists to perform eight selected basic medical tasks while in fatigue uniform, MOPP-4, or MOPP with a tactile glove prototype, to measure learning effects on performance of these tasks, to determine the degree to which task performance is degraded by MOPP-4 with or without the prototype gloves, and to obtain preliminary durability and user satisfaction data on tactile glove. The present findings indicate that soldiers must practice specific tasks when wearing the chemical protective ensemble if they are to develop the skills needed to function on the integrated battlefield.