R 261548Z APR 04 ZUI ASN-A00117000052
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-OC//
TO ALCOAST
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UNCLAS //N10470//
ALCOAST  193/04
COMDTNOTE 10470
SUBJ: MSD575 TACTICAL OPERATIONS DRY SUIT
A. RESCUE AND SURVIVAL SYSTEMS MANUAL, COMDTINST M10470.10E
1. THE MSD575 TACTICAL OPERATIONS DRY SUIT IS APPROVED FOR
PROCUREMENT AND USE FOR MEMBERS PERFORMING BOARDING VIA VERTICAL
INSERTION (FAST ROPING). OTHER UNITS MAY REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO
USE THE MSD575 FROM THEIR COGNIZANT AREA OR DISTRICT COMMANDER VIA
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.
2. THE MSD575 IS CONSTRUCTED OF A LIGHTWEIGHT, WATERPROOF
BREATHABLE, COAST GUARD BLUE SHADE 3362 (ODU COLOR) FABRIC AND IS
DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM MOBILITY REQUIRED FOR TACTICAL MANEUVERING IN
CONFINED SPACES. SLEEVE OPENINGS MAINTAIN WATERTIGHT INTEGRITY FROM
NEOPRENE SEALS AND THE NECK OPENING IS CONSTRUCTED OF A WATERPROOF
STRETCH NYLON THAT SEALS WATER OUT WHEN THE ELASTIC DRAWSTRING IS
PULLED TO A SNUG COMFORTABLE FIT. WATERPROOF SOCK TYPE FEET ARE
INTEGRATED INTO THE LEGS. HIGH WEAR AREAS OF THE SUIT, ASSOCIATED
WITH BOARDING OPERATIONS SUCH AS VERTICAL INSERTION AND HIGH
FREEBOARD JACOBS LADDER EMBARKATION, ARE COVERED WITH KEVLAR
REINFORCING FABRIC TO PREVENT DAMAGE. THE SUIT IS AVAILABLE IN FOUR
SIZES, SMALL TO EXTRA LARGE.
3. THE MSD575 DOES NOT PROVIDE THERMAL PROTECTION. DUE TO THE OFTEN
ARDUOUS BOARDING EMBARKATION METHODS AND CONFINED SPACE MOBILITY
REQUIREMENTS, THERMAL UNDERGARMENT SELECTION AND THE RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHTER WEIGHT UNDERGARMENTS MUST BE EVALUATED
PRIOR TO EACH MISSION. THE TRADE OFF BETWEEN OPEN OCEAN SURVIVAL
TIME AND MAXIMUM MOBILITY SHALL BE CONSIDERED DURING MISSION
PLANNING. AT A MINIMUM MSD575 USERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR WOOL SOCKS
AND LIGHTWEIGHT POLYPROPYLENE UNDERGARMENTS AGAINST THE SKIN AND
EXOTHERM I POLAR FLEECE UNDER THE MSD575 WHEN AIR AND WATER
TEMPERATURES ARE BOTH BELOW 50 DEGREES F. KAMIK COLD WEATHER
INSULATED BOOTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE WORN. STANDARD ISSUE SAFETY
BOOTS MAY BE USED WHEN HIGHER MOBILITY AND LIGHTER WEIGHT FOOTWEAR
IS REQUIRED.
4. THE MSD575 DOES NOT PROVIDE BUOYANCY AND PERSONAL FLOTATION
DEVICES ARE REQUIRED TO BE WORN IAW REF A, WITH THE MSD575.
5. THE MSD575 IS AVAILABLE FROM MUSTANG SURVIVAL INC., 3870 MUSTANG
WAY, BELLINGHAM, WA 98226, (800) 526-0532. THE GSA CONTRACT NUMBER
IS GS-07F-0065H AND THE PRICE IS 806.00 DOLLARS. NO ADDITIONAL PPE
FUNDING IS ANTICIPATED DURING FY04 AND MSD575 PURCHASES ARE FUNDED
BY THE ORDERING UNIT. RECENT PPE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY
COMMANDANT MAY BE USED TO PURCHASE THIS DRY SUIT.
6. A COPY OF THIS MESSAGE SHALL BE MAINTAINED IN THE FRONT OF REF A
PENDING PROMULGATION OF THE NEXT REVISION.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
8. RELEASED BY RADM JAMES C. OLSON, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
CAPABILITY.
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