Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing heat stress in firefighters supplies pressurized cooling water at a first pressure from a hose connected to a fire main for fighting fires onboard a ship. A manifold block switches parts of the pressurized cooling water at the first pressure through on/off valves and reduces pressure of the parts of the pressurized cooling water at the first pressure to a second pressure in flow regulators. The parts of the pressurized cooling water at the second pressure are fed through feeder hoses connected to the flow regulators and are conducted from the feeder hoses through tube suits each worn by a firefighter. Heat stress is reduced for each firefighter in each tube suit by the conducted parts of pressurized cooling water at the second pressure. The feeder hoses provide cooling water through each tube suit while the firefighters fight fires and during rest periods.

Abstract: A method and combination creates an air tight CBR impervious barrier for combatants. Protective garments including a protective overgarment, gloves, and over-boots are donned. The protective garments have an annular drawstring interface between a hooded-coat and trousers of the protective overgarment, an annular interface between each sleeve of the hooded-coat and each glove, and an annular interface between each leg portion of the trousers and each over-boot. Dilating elastomeric sheaths to an extended or stretched disposition and placing each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces allow constricting of each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces and compressedly engaging of the interfaces and the wearer's body by the constricting elastomeric sheaths to create an air-tight CBR impervious barrier at the interfaces. Elastomer, adhesive, or other coatings can be on inside surfaces of elastomeric sheaths to create better friction surfaces.