COOLING VEST FOR HEALTHCARE
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Quick answer: which cooling vest do you choose for healthcare?
For healthcare, you choose a cooling vest with cooling elements (PCM), not an evaporative vest, because it stays dry, cools at a fixed temperature, and fits under a uniform. The PCM CoolOver is the recommended choice here: it can be wiped down, disinfected, and was deemed suitable for use under hospital hygiene requirements in an independent BGW test. The PCM CoolOver-X and the Bodycool Pro Neoprene are comfortable PCM alternatives with the same 21°C variant for healthcare. For people with heat sensitivity, for example due to MS, a cooling vest can help to stay comfortable in the heat.
When do you choose a cooling vest for healthcare?
You choose a cooling vest for healthcare when you work in a warm environment with hygiene requirements and often wear protective clothing, or when you are sensitive to heat. In these situations, an evaporative vest works less well: it releases moisture and requires airflow, which is lacking under a uniform. A cooling vest with cooling elements stays dry and cools at a fixed temperature, even under clothing. It is not a medical device and not a substitute for breaks or a cool room, but it can help to stay comfortable in the heat.
Why a cooling vest with cooling elements in healthcare?
A cooling vest for healthcare works with cooling elements instead of evaporation, and this aligns with the hygiene requirements and protective clothing in healthcare.
An independent product test by the German BGW (2025) of ten cooling vests found the PCM CoolOver 21°C to be the only one suitable for use under hospital hygiene requirements. Under a protective jacket, this vest largely retained its cooling, with a loss of around 12%, while evaporative vests lost up to around 97% of their cooling. Read the details via the full BGW study.
Wipeable and disinfectable
In a healthcare environment, materials must be kept clean. The PCM CoolOver can be wiped down and disinfected with water or a disinfectant, making it suitable for hygienic environments.
Wearable under the uniform
The cooling elements remain dry, so you wear the cooling vest under your uniform or protective clothing without your clothes getting damp.
A fixed, comfortable cooling temperature
The elements cool at a fixed temperature. For healthcare, the 21°C variant is recommended, as it feels comfortable under clothing and is not too cold for the skin.
Cooling vest for heat sensitivity and MS
Many people with heat sensitivity use a cooling vest to better tolerate the heat on hot days. This is the case, for example, with MS (multiple sclerosis), where many people find heat burdensome. A cooling vest for healthcare with cooling elements keeps the torso at a fixed temperature and stays dry, so you can wear it comfortably under clothing.
The cooling vest is a tool for comfort and temperature, not a medical product, and it does not change the condition. If you are unsure which cooling temperature and model are suitable, consult your healthcare provider or use our selection guide.
What should you pay attention to when choosing?
When choosing a cooling vest for healthcare, pay attention to the cooling temperature, hygiene, wearability under clothing, and cooling duration.
Cooling temperature
For healthcare, the 21°C variant is recommended. It feels comfortable under clothing and is not too cold for the skin, in line with the BGW advice not to go colder than 15°C.
Hygiene
If you work in an environment with hygiene requirements, choose a model that can be wiped down and disinfected, such as the PCM CoolOver.
Wearing under clothing
The PCM models remain dry and can be worn under a uniform or protective clothing. For a comparison, view the full cooling vest range.
Cooling duration and spare elements
A set of cooling elements cools for approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on the model and wear. Keep a spare set ready in a cool box, then you can swap them out and stay cool for longer.
Frequently asked questions about cooling vests for healthcare
- Which cooling vest is suitable for healthcare or hospitals?
For healthcare, a cooling vest with cooling elements (PCM) is suitable. The PCM CoolOver is the recommended choice here, as it can be wiped down and disinfected and was deemed suitable for use under hospital hygiene requirements in an independent BGW test.
- Can you wear a cooling vest under a uniform or protective clothing?
Yes. A cooling vest with cooling elements such as the PCM CoolOver or the Bodycool Pro Neoprene remains dry on the outside, allowing you to wear it under a uniform or protective clothing.
- Is there a cooling vest that can be disinfected?
Yes. The PCM CoolOver can be wiped down and disinfected with water or a disinfectant, making it suitable for healthcare environments with hygiene requirements.
- Can a cooling vest help with heat sensitivity, for example with MS?
Many people with heat sensitivity use a cooling vest to better tolerate the heat, including those with MS. The cooling vest is a tool for comfort and temperature and not a medical product, so for personal advice, consult your healthcare provider.