Abstract: A cooling garment including opposed front and back panels to substantially cover a user's torso, a plurality of substantially rectangular elongated pockets affixed to the panels, each of the pockets having a releasably secured opening, and one or more insulating sleeves retaining cooling packs of a size corresponding to the pockets, wherein the cooling pack or packs being confined within the respective elongated pocket or pockets adjacent to a portion of the torso of the user subject to less heat stress are retained in insulating sleeves having a higher insulation value than insulating sleeves retaining cooling packs confined within the pocket or pockets adjacent to a portion of the torso of the user subject to more heat stress, and a method for use of the garment for medical treatment of elevated body temperatures.

Abstract: A cooling vest having opposed front and back panels to substantially cover a user's torso. At least one pocket (but preferably a plurality of such pockets) is provided on at least one of the panels and preferably both. The pocket has an opening to receive a cooling pack into the pocket. The pocket further has opposed inner and outer walls normally on the inside and outside, respectively, of the vest. The inner wall has a structural layer and an insulation layer of a different material than the structural layer. Preferably, there are a plurality of such pockets which together cover the majority of at least one of the panels. The insulation layer of the inner wall inhibits too rapid cooling of the user's torso which might otherwise occur from cooling by the gel packs.

Abstract: A cooling vent having opposed front and back panels to substantially cover a user's torso, the panels being non-integral along at least a first side and a first shoulder. First shoulder connector means allows the front and back panels to be releasably connected to one another such that the first shoulder can open or close. A plurality of elongated pockets are provided on at least one of the panels and preferably both, each of which has an opening to receive a cooling pack into the pocket. By virtue of the foregoing open side and shoulder construction, the vest can be removed sideways after use allowing a user to wear protective headgear, such as a gas mask, until after the vest is removed and without having to attempt to remove the vest over their head. In one embodiment, each pocket has inner and outer walls, each wall having a structural layer and an insulation layer.