FIREFIGHTER UNDER ARMOUR

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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on October 15, 2009 at 6:26pm

personally, I don't see the point of the under armor clothes. I have yet to have a problem with what I have been wearing so far under my gear. I don't know anyone who has it so I have no info on it, but, my gut tells me it's just a clothing line aimed at FF primarily to sell their product by making them think they are safer or more comfortable. My opinion,..save your money. If your gear aint gonna save you, then your underwear ain't gonna help.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on October 15, 2009 at 7:23pm

If you get into a "situation" that you have to rely on your undies....then I would think they wouldn't help much...mainly because by then you might crap them....I know I would.......I think I will just stick to what we have been doing thus far.....so far, so good.....Paul

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Permalink Reply by OMNIS CEDO DOMUS on October 15, 2009 at 8:47pm

There are some instances where it would come in handy such as the Angie Roach incident in Hall County, Ga. She fell through the floor right in the front door. Floor was solid but it was hard wood tongue and groove on top of the decking, basement fire and the decking burnt. She fell in an awkward position in the basement and couldn't move. Nomex shirt would've protected her from the coals she was laying on better than cotton I think. She has not yet made it back to work because of the burns and therapy.

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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on October 15, 2009 at 9:51pm

Nomex shirt, cotton shirt or rubber shirt,..it don't matter, if the heat is that close to your skin, it's gonna burn you, plain and simple. As for Angie Roach, No under armor underwear would have changed anything. She was laying in fire at approx.1200 deg. Do you know what your gear is rated for? Look it up. The underwear would have made no difference.
Like I said earlier, save your money. If you wanna buy something to increase your safety, invest in a good pair of boots or gloves or something.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on October 24, 2009 at 7:19pm

I don't think the point here is that it's going to offer you any more thermal protection. It's designed to keep you cooler and dryer. Cotton clothing does not dissapate heat, and does nothing to wick away sweat from the body. I'm going to give these new underwear a try. Unfortunately, at this time my department does not allow us to wear uniform shorts while on duty. The fact that every other department along the coast does, and that more and more departments are realizing the value in the summer of going to shorts shows that it does provide for more comfortable work uniforms.
The underwear is yet another option to keep body heat lower, and keep you dryer...especially those dark, dank areas that mushrooms growing could prove to be a real problem later on.
It's not meant for protection. But I can certainly welcome the effort at keeping me cooler and dryer.

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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on October 24, 2009 at 7:50pm

I agree with you on that aspect of the underarmor. I was making reference to what OCD was saying about the lady falling through the floor and such. I believe they sell the stuff cheaper at walmart or something. Name brand won't make a difference. Or even at a sports store. $100 seems pretty pricy to me.

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Permalink Reply by J Brooks on October 24, 2009 at 8:46pm

The FR Under Armour is actually aimed at the SWAT guys. The point of it is due to them using flash bangs and tear gas grenades that could potentially cause a fire. This product was not aimed at the fire service. That being said, it is a FR product and would add another layer of protection if you really wanted it. I would think it would be a good idea for the wildland guys, not the structure guys. If the heat is bad enough to get through your TOG, you are in trouble no matter what you are wearing.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on November 1, 2009 at 10:37pm

OMG what is SO hard to understand here? IT AINT ABOUT HEAT PROTECTION! It's not PBI/kevlar for cripes sake!

It's wicking. It's about removing moisture from the body, keeping dry, You know, like the opposite of cotton?

What's so hard to understand?

No wonder the fire service often crawls towards progress.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 1, 2009 at 10:51pm

Jeff, if you want the stuff, then by all means go out and get some, but don't make this into some personal crusade that the entire fire service needs to adopt this clothing.
I've worn a cotton shirt for years and if I'm at the station, I have others to change back into if the one I have on gets sweated up. On the fireground, a good rehab will also help to keep someone from overheating as well. I have more things to worry about on this job than the type of underwear I have on and I'm personally not going to go out and spend $100 on such stuff when I have not had any problems.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on November 1, 2009 at 11:20pm

John, I'm with you on this one. The wicking-type artificial fabrics tend to make you feel hotter, and they don't help with evaporative cooling once you get out of your gear. Cotton does.

I've spent a lot of time comparing artificial fabrics to natural, due to my interest in swiftwater rescue and my previous time with a wilderness SAR team.

Wicking is important when you're talking about multi-layer cold weather gear.
Under turnout gear in hot environments, I haven't seen that it makes any difference.

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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on November 1, 2009 at 11:32pm

You ask me? I think it's more about looking cool, than being cooler!

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on November 1, 2009 at 11:56pm

Are we going to see "No Fear" wicking, fire-resistant underwear next?
Will it come in wife-beaters, or just the long handles?
Will it have a pocket for the helmet camera battery pack?
Will it come in colors that match the helmet?
Can explorers and juniors wear it on calls?
Will it function as body armor if we crash while running red traffic lights?

Food for thought...

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