Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
Surface Forces Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: Flash/Naval clothing for action
Iano    1/11/2005 3:28:57 PM
What exactly is the "flash" that sailors wear hoods and mitts to protect themselves from? Is it actual flame, or is it just a surge of heat, as I imagine that heat travels well down enclosed compartments and tight corridors after a weapon hits a ship! Why is it that when you see photos of RN sailors at action stations they all have their anti-flash on, whereas when you see photos of USN sailors they seem to be lacking this kit? Also photos of submariners and aviators never seem to include them wearing the same white hoods and mitts. I know they work and fight in different surroundings but surely whatever this flash effect is, it could affect them as badly as any surface sailor! Why is it that when you see photos of RN sailors (not just engineers) at action stations they are all wearing coveralls over their Action working dress? If the AWD shirt, trousers and jersey is flame retardent, and it is marked so, then how come the coveralls are needed? And why do you see some in white coveralls but most in blue? Are the ones in white coveralls the officers and the ones in blue the ratings? Why do sailors appear to seldom wear their helmets and never wear body armour? With the possible exception of boarding parties? Thanks guys Ian
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest
Pages: 1 2
WEM (O)       5/4/2010 3:43:20 AM
Steaming bats were indeed made to conduct electricity, the main reason being as you said to stop the build of static, which in turn could set of a 4.5" MK8 GSA1 (that was the main guiun in my day) round. Which unlike its smaller counter part the rifle round was set off by a 50v cgarge instead of percussion. 
 
Quote    Reply

LB    War is Harsh   5/4/2010 11:38:46 PM
Then RN actually fought a serious naval war in 1982 where they lost 5 ships sunk and 5 more seriously damaged.  The first ships sunk, HMS Sheffield, resulted in 20 killed 24+ wounded- mostly burned.  The wearing of the flash protection gear was taken even more seriously after this event.  The RN probably does don the flash gear in training than the USN but the USN does indeed train in the flash gear as well at GQ- at least at times.  The gear is for flame and heat- flash fires are extremely sudden events.
 
Quote    Reply

USN-MID       5/8/2010 8:07:04 PM
What exactly is the "flash" that sailors wear hoods and mitts to protect themselves from? Is it actual flame, or is it just a surge of heat, as I imagine that heat travels well down enclosed compartments and tight corridors after a weapon hits a ship!

The "flash" is/can be both. The point is, it will cause severe, rapid burns to exposed skin. With typical clothing, that means the face and hands.
Burned face means your airway is damaged, thus you are combat ineffective to man your station. 
Burned hands means you cannot complete press buttons, handle hoses, fire weaons, again, combat ineffective.
 
Why is it that when you see photos of RN sailors at action stations they all have their anti-flash on, whereas when you see photos of USN sailors they seem to be lacking this kit? Also photos of submariners and aviators never seem to include them wearing the same white hoods and mitts. I know they work and fight in different surroundings but surely whatever this flash effect is, it could affect them as badly as any surface sailor!
 
USN sailors wear flash gear at GQ, our equivalent to action stations. However, we also have "lesser" conditions of readiness during which flash gear is not required. Aviators also wear "similar" gear...they wear fire resistant suits and gloves. Their helmets and the need to see/communicate very well I would think make a hood impractical, even more so for the oxygen mask wearing types.
 
Why do sailors appear to seldom wear their helmets and never wear body armour? With the possible exception of boarding parties?
 
Because nobody wants to put that crap on, except the boarding parties. Seriously, I don't have a good answer, it IS required in the USN, but it is up to the command leadership to enforce it. So in cases where it doesn't happen...
 
Quote    Reply
1 2



 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics