DriFire Base Layer - Much Better Than Asbestos Underwear

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The term ‘asbestos underwear’ tends to come up in Internet discussions frequently as a tongue-in-cheek reference to needing intimate protection from the searing heat of flames, Internet or otherwise. However, there is a real-world solution that is far more practical - and less itchy - than asbestos underwear: DriFire Base Layer undergarments.

So what’s so important about base layers, anyhow? To put it simply, base layer clothing rests directly against the skin - in short, undergarments, such as T-shirts, boxer shorts, sports bras, and other lightweight clothing. Due to their intimate contact with the user, it is important that they remain comfortable to wear in addition to providing protection against fire hazards. The protections they provide must be permanent, and must not deteriorate over extended wear or frequent washings.

So aside from jokes, why do firefighters, electricians, technicians, emergency responders, soldiers, and many other professionals need fire retardant underwear? Clothing that ignites, drips, or melts under extreme heat or flames is a significant hazard, and 100% cotton or other non-flammable undergarments are required to maintain the level of safety people expect from their fire resistant clothing choices. Nobody wants the experience of having their intimate apparel melted to their intimate parts, after all - this is why crews requiring arc flash protection require that 100% cotton or other non-flammable undergarments be worn under protective gear.

Where does DriFire come in, then? DriFire provides an ideal solution to the problem of base layer flame resistance with their silk weight, mid weight, and heavy weight pants, shirts, underwear and accessories. Aside from providing a basic level of flame protection, they also provide other vital features such as moisture management and antimicrobial protection. Moisture management is important for comfort, but is also vital for preventing steam burns from trapped moisture becoming heated in high-temperature situations. Antimicrobial protection is all about odor control - helping you stay fresh and clean even under the stress of extended shifts and heavy workloads.

All in all, DriFire underwear and other performance products are the protective equivalent of the humorous ‘asbestos underwear’, with none of the discomfort. The next time you settle in for a flame war on the Internet, or wage war against flaming infernos in a structure fire, or prepare to march into the battlefield, spare a thought for DriFire base layer apparel - it just may mean the difference between a comfortable afternoon and getting burned.

This entry was posted on June 22, 2010 at 08:59 and is filed under Flame-Resistant, Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.