Thermal Protective Aid (TPA) is an aluminized polyethylene suit with heat sealed seams that protects from the elements and prevents hypothermia.
It is defined by the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code as follows:
A thermal protective aid shall be made of a waterproof material having a thermal conductance of not more than 7,800 W/(m²K) and shall be so constructed that, when used to enclose a person, it shall reduce both the convective and evaporative heat loss from the wearer's body.
The thermal protective aid shall:
- Cover the whole body of persons of all sizes wearing a lifejacket with the exception of the face. Hands shall also be covered unless permanently attached gloves are provided;
- Be capable of being unpacked and easily donned without assistance in a survival craft or rescue boat; and
- Permit the wearer to remove it in the water in not more than 2 min, if it impairs ability to swim.
- The thermal protective aid shall function properly throughout an air temperature range -30°C to +20°C.
- Every survival craft should have 2 thermal protective aid suits or 10% of its total carrying capacity whichever is greater.
- For the purpose of high visibility in all weather conditions the suit is coloured in international orange.
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
