V-STAT Suit

Vital Statistics (V-STAT) Suit: Also known as “Cold Pajamas,” (or morbidly, “Cadaver Coat”), the V-STAT suit was originally designed to increase survivability of cryogenic entrants during GATE travel as well as conventional long-arm (extended in-system) flights. The core torso panels are embedded with microcircuitry that penetrate the first few layers of skin (there is no sensation to the reader) and monitor for cellular crystallization. A synthetic, biologically-friendly oleic compound (“antifreeze”) can be delivered in small quantities to offset the initial stages of cellular crystallization and extending the safe storage times of the individual. Cryo-sickness is the first sign that the individual had recently been micro-injected with these compounds while in stasis. Symptoms of cryo-sickness include: nausea, short-term, intense and full body aches. Most find the discomfort a worthy alternative to death.

The oleic compounds will sometimes absorb into the individual's naturally occurring fatty deposits. This can result in a condition known in the travel vernacular as “Freezer Fat.” Upon returning to metabolic norms, some women have exhibited medically documented hip and buttock expansion (“Hibernation Hips” or “Thaw Thighs”) resulting from compound absorption. Others have been delighted by awakening from cryostasis a half to full bra size larger. Men who experience similar breast augmentation, however, are generally far less enthusiastic. With due dietary and exercise diligence (or cosmetic surgery), such aberrations can be easily corrected.

The Space Transit Surgery Board (STSB) offers all travelers of 2+ year voyages a low-cost voucher for 50% off cosmetic surgery in case of Freezer Fat. Most consider it a price happily paid as they would have died without V-STAT’s compound injections. The V-STAT suit has an inherent pliability to them to allow for Freezer Fat in addition to general comfort.

The final meal (sometimes called “the last supper”) given to people just prior to cryostasis contain basic priming agents of organic shielding for longer term stasis. The official name of this material is “Synthet-o-Meal.” (See separate entry.)

Other sensors line the interior of the suit monitoring standard vitals (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, etc.). Emergency Medical Intervention Stimulus (EMIS) such as remote defib can be implemented automatically or manually by medical staff through mechanisms built into the suit. The Enforcer’s “underarmor” layer is an advanced model of the V-STAT suit in this regard and includes several life saving modifications such as reactive nano-shunt capabilities in case of limb loss.

The skullcap contains an independent heating element in case of primary suit systems failure and will activate as a measure of last resort. Similarly, cybernetic heart patients should inform the travel provider of their condition as the defib charge for an organic heart can destroy the circuits of the artificial heart.