ALTITUDE RESISTANCE OF MEDICAL SUPPLY KITS

Abstract: High altitude parachute operations involve exposition on low atmospheric pressure not only to the paratroopers but also the equipment they carry, including medical supplies. In most cases, manufacturers are not testing their products in high altitudes or providing such information. Therefore we challenged standard medical supplies with pressure profile depicting HALO operations to check if such pressure changes could have any adverse effects on their enclosures. No direct damage was observed amongst particular items, although one of the containers broke under the pressure of the increased cargo volume. Some long-term observations may also indicate the need for repeated tests in order to ensure material endurance after multiple exposures.