Antishock trouser inflation and pulmonary vital capacity.

Two models of antishock trousers were studied for the effect of their inflation on the pulmonary function of 20 healthy men. Vital capacity was measured for each model at pressures of 0, 30, 60, and 100 mm Hg. The antishock suit with the abdominal compartment extending over the entire abdomen decreased the vital capacity 13.8% with inflation to a pressure of 100 mm Hg. The antishock suit with a smaller abdominal compartment, considered the standard model, decreased vital capacity only 5% at the same pressure.