Smart suits keeps chopper crews warm in freezing water, cool in hot working conditions

Warm hands and feet also provide a direct line to the core body temperature - using the same theory as the AVAcore cooling glove, ensuring that heat is evenly distributed to all parts of the body, which is important for survival and for the ability to make a contribution to one's own rescue.

“Critical voices claimed that the new requirements would make the suits too bulky, but by intelligent distribution of the insulation, we have avoided that they take up too much room”, explains Jarl Reitan.

The suits are already proving themselves a commercial success: in tough competition with recently developed clothing from foreign manufacturers, the Norwegian suit was victorious in a call for tenders from StatoilHydro, the first oil company to swap its old helicopter suits for the new variety.