# Identify this medical (?) vest
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 5, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608 "2014-02-05T21:43:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 17
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/1 "2014-02-05T21:43:34Z")
I walk at lunchtime every day. I often see a very large man (both tall and… large 😉 ). Recently he has been wearing something I assume is a medical device.
It’s like a bullet-proof vest, but it doesn’t go down as far as the stomach. On both the front and back of the vest are about 15 compartments about the size of a 35-mm film canister. I can’t see any tubes from the compartments, but I did see a clear tube coming out of the vest at the top. However, the tube didn’t seem to be going to a nasal cannula or a breathing mask of any sort.
Ever since he’s had this vest, the guy seems to be walking slower than before.
So, does anyone have any idea what this vest-like contraption might be?
Thanks,
J.
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### Author:  [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/2 "2014-02-05T22:09:26Z")
Did the tube go to a back pack? Did it look anything like this: [turtle shell respirator](http://www.google.com/search?q=turtle+shell+respirator&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=DLbyUtD3HoHfoATBsYHYDA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1866&bih=970#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=9K_f0dvCMjrDhM%253A%3Bed6kWc8GWdpKWM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcollections.mohistory.org%252Fobject%252FOBJ%253A2007%25252B172%25252B0001%252Fimage%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcollections.mohistory.org%252Fobject%252FOBJ%253A2007%252B172%252B0001%3B300%3B419)?
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/3 "2014-02-05T22:17:36Z")
Did it look [like this](http://www.google.com/imgres?client=firefox-a&hs=Nkr&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1515&bih=787&tbm=isch&tbnid=oUjSMKQtAbzX6M%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D3408561&docid=8KlHuVENYTuGJM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F51XRVXZsbyL.jpg&w=480&h=500&ei=LrjyUpe9I8LhygHh54HADg&zoom=1&ved=0CIIBEIQcMAk&iact=rc&dur=3722&page=1&start=0&ndsp=24)? The tube might have been for a built in hydration pack.
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/4 "2014-02-05T22:29:43Z")
> [@picunurse](#):
>
> Did the tube go to a back pack? Did it look anything like this: [turtle shell respirator](http://www.google.com/search?q=turtle+shell+respirator&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=DLbyUtD3HoHfoATBsYHYDA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1866&bih=970#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=9K_f0dvCMjrDhM%253A%3Bed6kWc8GWdpKWM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcollections.mohistory.org%252Fobject%252FOBJ%253A2007%25252B172%25252B0001%252Fimage%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcollections.mohistory.org%252Fobject%252FOBJ%253A2007%252B172%252B0001%3B300%3B419)?
No, this isn’t it. Thanks for the suggestion.
J.
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### Author:  [@spotthegerbil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spotthegerbil)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/5 "2014-02-05T22:31:00Z")
My first thought was an exercise [weight vest](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-20-lbs.-Adjustable-Weighted-Vest/5481392)with a hydration pouch?
This might explain why he’s going slower.
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/6 "2014-02-05T22:32:21Z")
> [@running\_coach](#):
>
> Did it look [like this](http://www.google.com/imgres?client=firefox-a&hs=Nkr&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1515&bih=787&tbm=isch&tbnid=oUjSMKQtAbzX6M%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D3408561&docid=8KlHuVENYTuGJM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F51XRVXZsbyL.jpg&w=480&h=500&ei=LrjyUpe9I8LhygHh54HADg&zoom=1&ved=0CIIBEIQcMAk&iact=rc&dur=3722&page=1&start=0&ndsp=24)? The tube might have been for a built in hydration pack.
Hmmm. This one is more like it, but the compartments were more stand-alone or individual. The compartment size seems about right. I can’t see the back of this vest, though, so I can’t see if it has the compartments on the back, too. I also don’t see a clear tube coming from this vest.
Thanks,
J.
---
### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/7 "2014-02-05T22:36:48Z")
> [@spotthegerbil](#):
>
> My first thought was an exercise [weight vest](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-20-lbs.-Adjustable-Weighted-Vest/5481392)with a hydration pouch?
>
> This might explain why he’s going slower.
The vest I saw had all of the compartments evenly spaced with about 3 rows of 5 or something.
Also, this guy is probably over 300 pounds so I’m not sure what a 20-pound vest is going to do, although I suppose it is possible.
J.
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### Author:  [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/8 "2014-02-05T22:54:10Z")
Based on your description of the person wearing it, it may be some sort of cardiac defibrillator.
> **[Wearable cardioverter defibrillator](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable_cardioverter_defibrillator)**
>
> A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is a non-invasive, external device for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It allows physicians time to assess their patient's arrhythmic risk and make appropriate plans. It is a leased device. A summary of the device, its technology and indications was published in 2017 and reviewed by the EHRA Scientific Documents Committee.
> A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is an external device with a built-in defibrillator. The WCD is worn d...
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/9 "2014-02-05T23:00:19Z")
> [@Shmendrik](#):
>
> Based on your description of the person wearing it, it may be some sort of cardiac defibrillator.
>
> [Wearable cardioverter defibrillator - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable_cardioverter_defibrillator)
I agree that’s a possibility, but the vest I saw looks nothing like this picture.
J.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/10 "2014-02-05T23:31:20Z")
Use the google image function on the phrase “cystic fibrosis” vest and see if any of those look like it.
It sounds like it may be an external percussion vest, designed to loosen secretions in patients with CF and other diseases where the bronchioles get clogged up.
Most folks don’t wear them while out and about, though.
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### Author:  [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/11 "2014-02-05T23:35:22Z")
How large of a man? If he is a wildland firefighter or a volunteer fire fighter who wants to be red carded to work on wild fire incidents. He would have to take the work capacity test[“Pack Test”,](http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm03512805/page11.htm)walking 3 miles in a 45lb pack. There is no standard pack they come in all shapes and sizes, but this is about the time of year people start training.
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/12 "2014-02-06T00:04:46Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> Use the google image function on the phrase “cystic fibrosis” vest and see if any of those look like it.
>
> It sounds like it may be an external percussion vest, designed to loosen secretions in patients with CF and other diseases where the bronchioles get clogged up.
>
> Most folks don’t wear them while out and about, though.
No, that’s not the vest.
Thanks,
J.
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/13 "2014-02-06T00:06:07Z")
> [@sitchensis](#):
>
> How large of a man? If he is a wildland firefighter or a volunteer fire fighter who wants to be red carded to work on wild fire incidents. He would have to take the work capacity test[“Pack Test”,](http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm03512805/page11.htm)walking 3 miles in a 45lb pack. There is no standard pack they come in all shapes and sizes, but this is about the time of year people start training.
The vest on the left actually looks similar, but I can’t imagine this guy being a firefighter. He’s very out of shape.
J.
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### Author:  [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/14 "2014-02-06T00:15:09Z")
There are some jobs that only require the moderate version of the test, which is a 25 lb pack over a two mile course. If he was an equipment operator, truck driver, or even the guy who sets up the cook trailers or honey-buckets he may be out of shape enough that training for the lesser version is tough work.
If that’s even the answer at all 🙂
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### Author:  [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2014, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/15 "2014-02-06T01:35:47Z")
People with MS can’t tolerate getting warm due to exercise to they can wear a cooling vest.
See
> **[Cooling Vest Guide | ActiveMSers](https://www.activemsers.org/cooling-vest-guide)**
>
> ActiveMSers is the world’s leading resource for reviewing and testing cooling vests. After testing over 20 models, this exclusive guide details the science behind how cooling vests help combat overheating with multiple sclerosis (known at Uhthoff’s...
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### Author:  [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2014, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/16 "2014-02-20T21:06:55Z")
> [@sitchensis](#):
>
> How large of a man? If he is a wildland firefighter or a volunteer fire fighter who wants to be red carded to work on wild fire incidents. He would have to take the work capacity test[“Pack Test”,](http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm03512805/page11.htm)walking 3 miles in a 45lb pack. There is no standard pack they come in all shapes and sizes, but this is about the time of year people start training.
I’m stopping back in to identify the vest I saw. I’ve seen him a couple of more times and I’ve identified the vest to be almost identical to [this vest](http://www.verticaljumping.com/weight_vest.html).
I guess it IS a weight vest, although I can’t see this guy as an athlete. Maybe his doctor told him to use a weight vest on his walks to increase his level of effort a little.
Thanks for all of the suggestions.
J.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-medical-vest/680608/17 "2014-02-20T21:16:16Z")
> [@jharvey963](#):
>
> I’m stopping back in to identify the vest I saw. I’ve seen him a couple of more times and I’ve identified the vest to be almost identical to [this vest](http://www.verticaljumping.com/weight_vest.html).
>
> I guess it IS a weight vest, although I can’t see this guy as an athlete. Maybe his doctor told him to use a weight vest on his walks to increase his level of effort a little.
>
> Thanks for all of the suggestions.
>
> J.
They’re not just for athletes. Sometimes people wear them because it’s a relatively low-effort form of exercise and maybe that’s all they can handle until they’re more fit. It’s a step in the right direction, at least.