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Revolutionary RPCM™ Cool Pack Technology
Q. How many times can the RPCM™ Cool Pack be used?
A. The function of the RPCM™ Cool Pack of storing latent heat is a natural property of the active ingredients; it never wears out. It can be used indefinitely.
Q. How long do RPCM™ Cool Packs take to recharge?
A. Typically 20 minutes in ice & water, and slightly longer in a refrigerator or freezer. They can be recharged in any environment that is 59°F or less...even a cool stream or air-conditioned room. They recharge more quickly in ice & water because of the conductive method of chilling. In a freezer, they chill convectively, which takes a bit longer.
Q. What are the benefits of RPCM™ Cool Packs over ice or frozen gel packs?
A. There are three key benefits:
- RPCM™ Cool Packs recharge (solidify) at a much more comfortable 59° F (15°C) temperature. This means they can't cause skin or tissue damage that happens when something frozen remains in contact with your body.
- RPCM™ Cool Packs remain effective for a longer period of time between recharges. Why? The difference in between ambient air temperature and the RPCM™ is much less than the difference between ambient air temperature and ice. That means more cooling is absorbed by the body and less is lost to the air.
- RPCM™ Cool Packs are cooled to a temperature that is almost always above the dew point. That means they typically won't form condensation and get you all wet. Ice and frozen gel packs are always below the dew point, so they sweat, making them uncomfortable to wear and adding to the weight of the vest or jacket. Condensation also robs the ice pack of efficiency because condensation creates heat, which is absorbed by the pack, further reducing its efficiency.
Q. How do RPCM™ Cool Packs compare with evaporative-type body cooling products?
A. RPCM™ Cool Packs provide much greater efficiency and better performance. Evaporative-type products, by design retain water, so they are always damp and soggy. This makes them uncomfortable against your skin and soaks your clothing. It also means they will breed bacteria and mildew over time. Further, evaporative-type products can't operate inside sealed protective clothing like hazmat suits or in any high humidity environment. Because the ambient air is already saturated with water, evaporation is minimal if at all. RPCM™ Cool Packs are unaffected by humidity.
Q. Can RPCM™ Cool Packs reduce core body temperature?
A. Yes they can, but remember that the RPCM™ Cool Vest is worn to maintain normal core temperature. The body is not supposed to be cool, it is supposed to be 98.6°F. The purpose of our unique RPCM™ Cool Vest is to maintain a normal, comfortable core temperature and help prevent heat related injuries.
Q. Isn't water a phase change material?
A. Yes. A phase change occurs whenever matter changes from one form into another. Water changes phase from a solid to liquid at 32°F (0°C) and from liquid to vapor at 212°F (100°C). RPCM™ Cool Packs change phase into their solid form at 59º F (15°C). Because RPCM™ Cool Packs change phase into their solid form at such a higher temperature, they loses much less cooling power to the ambient air.
Q. Is the chemical in the RPCM™ Cool Pack toxic?
A. It's not really a chemical. We like to call it "high tech chicken fat" because it is basically a proprietary (and patent-pending) concoction of fats and oils from animal and vegetable sources. Therefore RPCM™ Cool Packs are completely non-toxic, safe, and environmentally friendly. None of the 'old-style' phase change materials on the market today can say that...most of them use hexdecane or some other variety of petroleum-based phase change materials...all of which contain hazardous chemicals.
Q. What happens if I get it on me, ingest it, or get it into my bloodstream?
A.Should the RPCM™ Cool Pack become punctured and leak onto your skin, testing by ASTM methods indicate very mild to no irritation is expected, so it's simple to just wash off with soap and water. Accidental exposure to the eyes and mucous membranes has been shown to produce very mild to no irritation (more specifcally, less than that caused by a 4% baby shampoo and water solution). Ingestion may cause minor gastrointestinal irritaion, but probably much less than a bowl of 2-alarm chili. If you'd like a Material Safety Data Sheet on this product, just ask. It won't give you enough information to make your own, but it will prove that you are safe to use it.
Q. Will RPCM™ Cool Packs cause vasoconstriction?
A. Not at all. That's one of the key benefits of RPCM™ Cool Vests. They function within a comfortable temperature range that, unlike ice or frozen gel, does not allow vasoconstriction of blood vessels. This is an important difference, as unconstricted blood vessels allow your circulatory system to freely move blood throughout your body, then release heat at the skin surface. With ice applied near the skin, the the body is fooled into thinking it is cold. It reacts by constricting the blood vessels near the skin, limiting the body's natural heat-loss system. The heart and lungs then work harder, expending extra energy and creating yet more body heat.
Q. During cardiovascular exercise, will RPCM™ Cool Packs help slow the heart rate?
A. Yes, in a manner of speaking. RPCM™ Cool Vests will help slow the increase in your heart rate by helping keep your core body temperature closer to normal for a longer period of time. This allows you to exercise longer and with more intensity, allowing for higher calorie burn. Of course, it's important that you check with your doctor before undergoing any exercise program.
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