During various operations,harsh and inhospitable environments and high degree of physical mental and psychological stress impact the overall performance of the soldiers. Life Sciences laboratories endeavoring in their respective areas of expertise to enhance the operational efficiency of the armed forces by providing support through various products and technologies developed indigenously.
Acclimatization to High Altitude and Tenure of Posting A three staged acclimatization procedure has been developed for induction of troops from sea level to high and extreme altitude (EA) based on physiological, psychological, biochemical and hormonal profiles of soldiers during gradual or rapid induction to high altitude. This has helped the army in drastic reduction of altitude related maladies such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) etc.
Rapid Induction Strategies at High Altitude:
Modern military operations frequently require rapid deployment of personnel into high altitude with little or no time for physiological acclimatization. Rapid deployment of unacclimatized soldiers to high altitude/mountain environments may cause debilitating effects on operational capabilities. “Normobaric Hypoxia Chamber”has been developed to provide Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure (IHE) as one of the recent approaches to induce altitude acclimatization. It involves the use of daily intermittent hypoxic exposure in lieu of continuous stay at high altitude. IHE is known as altitude exposure, involves breathing low oxygen air periodically, living in or exercising in reduced air for the purpose of pre acclimatization/preconditioning to high altitude . It has been found to improve the physical work performance of an individual as well as to reduce the incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness.
Telemedicine System
Rugged, comprehensive Telemedicine System designed to serve as an ideal platform to perform tele-diagnosis and tele-consultation for pan-naval deployment. DAC approved for implementation of the System in Indian Navy by connecting 63 Ships, 12 Submarines, 21 Remote Locations,06 Island Locations with 04 Naval Hospital overNaval Ku-Band Network.
One man HAPO chamber is a life saving device that provides emergency treatment to HAPO victim by enhancing the partial pressure of the breathing air inside the chamber.300 chambers have been inducted into Army and induction of 642 is under process.
Ration Scales for Tri-services
Adequate nutritional support is a mandatory requirement in order to keep our soldiers in good spirit and the highest level of physical fitness under different climatic conditions and operational situations. Eighteen ration scales have been formulated to meet the nutritional and energy requirements of Armed Forces personnel operating under different climatic conditions. Specific requirement of micronutrients at high altitude, desert and during combat training have been determinedafter conducting studies under actual field conditions.
Trench Cultivation Technologies
Trench is a simple structure for growing vegetables during extreme winters. Trench cultivation harnesses soil and solar heat to create suitable climatic conditions for growth of leafy vegetables like spinach, fenugreek, coriander, lai etc. Suitable size of 30’ x 10’ x 3’ with transparent UV stabilized 200 micron polythene sheet as The technology is low in cost and is utilized for growing green vegetables during extreme winters.
Yoga for Improving Soldier Performance & Health
A spe¬cial yoga packages to optimize troops’ performance in the altitude terrain have been developed. The Beneficial effects of Yoga, Asana and Pranayama on body homeostasis and improving physical and mental performance of soldiers under different climatic extremes have been established by extensive scientific studies. Specific yoga packages have been formulated for army, navy and Air Force personnel deployed under harsh environments in different parts of the country.
Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS):
A state-of-the-art embedded micro controller based Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) with built-in security features has been designed and developed for the selection of pilots for modern aircraft. It comprehensively evaluates the qualities required for the military pilots such as psychomotor skills, Information processing skills (speed and accuracy), coordination, visualization, time-sharing, etc. by subjecting the candidates to perform concurrent multiple tasks. The new system consists of cognitive elements, psychomotor abilities, information processing speed, and spatial abilities and psychomotor tests based on aircraft simulator cockpit.
Meals– Ready- To- Eat [MREs]
Meals–Ready–to-Eat rations have been specially developed to meet the operational needs of the Army and Navy. The ration does not require any cooking since the contents are thermally processed and can be consumed readily after little warming, if required. The food so packed has one year shelf life under ambient conditions and is safe, palatable, nutritious and lightweight. It provides adequate calorific value and does not contain any chemical preservatives or additives.
Survival Rations
Survival rations have been developed keeping in view of the variable needs of Armed Forces. Different survival rations have been developed for Air Force, Navy and Army depending upon their operational needs. Consumption of one ration is sufficient for one-day survival