Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't colder ice or gel better?
After many years working
with medical and veterinary experts and testing different temperatures on industry personnel
and working dogs representing a broad spectrum of end users in the most hostile of work
conditions, the temperature levels maintained by CoolZone Dog's cooling vests were found to be the optimum for absorbing a body's
metabolic heat for several hours, without causing cold injury side effects or discomfort. Ice and gel packs are so cold that they can cause permanent nerve and tissue damage in the form of frostbite or non-freezing cold injury if placed in direct contact with the skin or applied for more than 20 minutes. Additionally, when a body is exposed to these cold temperatures it reacts by shivering to generate heat and contracting capillary blood vessels in the skin, trapping core heat within the body. If this cold-weather response is triggered when the body is over-heated, heat stress issues will compound quickly.
Why doesn't the vest continue
to feel as cool after 30 minutes?
An energized vest will initially
feel cool when you or your dog first puts it on. The body quickly acclimates and the temperature begins to feel normal, although the HTFxtm UniPakstm, are continuing to absorb metabolic heat from the body, reducing the need to sweat (humans) or pant (dogs) to maintain a stable core temperature. Heat stress is reduced because the body does not have to expend as much energy and resources (water, electrolytes, etc.) to stay cool.
How will I or my dog feel
after wearing the cool vest all day?
You or your dog will feel much more energetic
and vigilant than under similar circumstances without wearing the cool
vest. When the body's sweat and or panting response has been reduced, fewer electrolytes,
minerals, salts and other nutrients are not as readily forfeited. The body
has retained these nutrients for future use to promote proper muscle function,
neurological activity and other bodily functions.
Why all this talk about sweat, dogs don't sweat do they?
Actually they do. Dogs are able to expel excess body heat by sweating through the pads of their feet, although their primary means of cooling is panting which also reduces electrolytes, minerals salts and nutrients, as well as generating metabolic heat through the muscle activity needed to move the diaphragm and rib cage rapidly.
How do I know the cool vest is working?
Although the vest does not always
feel cold, you or your dog (depending on who's wearing a vest) may only notice the fact that you don't feel overheated. Most probably you are not sweating
profusely or your dog is not panting as much and is/are not as hot and uncomfortable as you normally would be
in that same situation, working without the cool vest.
How come my dog and I don't get as
tired later in the day?
As previously mentioned,
the less electrolytes, water and minerals that your body uses to regulate its temperature, the more energy remains stored for later
use.
How do I know when to
recharge the UniPak?
Due to differences in metabolism, body mass and environmental conditions, the vest's cooling duration
will differ among different people, dogs and situations. As long as any of the HTF Exotherm® in the pack is still white in color, it is still partially charged and will absorb heat from the body as quickly as when freshly charged.
If the UniPak ruptures, will
the chemical hurt me or my dog?
No. A rupture of the UniPak is highly unlikely. HTFx UniPaks are constructed by an FDA registered manufacturer from an incredibly durable medical grade tripolymer film. The US Air Force has put our UniPaks through extreme durability testing, including running them over with military trucks with no ill effect. If an HTFx UniPak is somehow cut or punctured, the HTF Exotherm inside is not toxic, carcinogenic or corrosive, and is approved by the FDA for direct contact with food. It is inert at room or outdoor temperatures. It also weighs less than water of the same volume so the cooling pack will not weigh your dog down if he jumps into a body of water. HTF Exotherm can cause mild irritation to people or animals with sensitive skin, and should not be eaten. If In its liquid state, a UniPak does become damaged and should leak
onto clothing or your skin or your dog, you should remove the vest and
wash the clothing and/or exposed skin or fur with mild soap and water.
How do I clean the cool
vest?
You may wash or wipe the
UniPaks with mild soap and water solution, isopropyl alcohol or any household anti-microbial
non-abrasive cleanser. The fabric vest carrier may be washed in mild soap and water. Lay flat
or air dry the carrier.
What if I don't have time to charge the UniPak in the refrigerator?
UniPaks will typically charge faster in a freezer than a refrigerator, and will recharge in a few minutes if dipped in a bath of ice-water. If using freezing cold temperatures to quick-charge a UniPak it is important to remember to allow it to warm up to its comfortably cool temperature before use, to avoid a cold shock when placing it on your dog or yourself.
Why does it take longer
to charge the UniPak in a refrigerator or freezer than when submerged it in ice and water?
Water is more dense than air, and able to absorb heat out of the UniPak more quickly than the thinner air in a refrigerator or freezer.
How long will a charged
pack stay charged in an empty cooler or container?
If the container is adequately
insulated (eg: sports cooler), a charged pack may last for several hours
(e.g. 24 hours or longer). If several charged packs are packed together,
one on top of another and placed in an insulated container, the inside
packs may remain charged for several days, depending upon the environment
and situation.
I left the cool vest in
the trunk of my car last night and it was still charged this morning, How
come?
If the night time temperatures are cool, this will cause the UniPaks to either remain charged
or to recharge by giving off the heat it has trapped. Only when something that is warmer than the charged pack temperature (e.g. the human or canine body) comes into thermal contact with the UniPak, does
the HTF Exotherm begin to absorb heat.
Is the cooling vest fire retardant?
It can be. Fire retardant carriers and inserts are available as special order items.
