On-The-Move Nutrient Delivery System (NDS): User Acceptability of Rotary Flow Control Version

Dismounted operations make it difficult for Warriors to drink and eat enough. The Nutrient Delivery System (NDS) is an add-on to collapsible bladder with drink tube personal hydration systems, and is intended to facilitate fluid and on-the-move nutrient intake. Soldier feedback (n=83) was captured regarding acceptability of NDS form and function, and their opinions regarding the merits of the system. Sixty-eight percent of the Soldiers rated the device as moderately to extremely valuable, and 68% felt it would provide a performance advantage by better sustaining hydration and/or providing energy, and not having to stop to get nutrients. Eighty-three percent would recommend the system to their peers and 76% recommend that the Army invest in the technology. The potential advantage of the NDS technology for the user and logistician in combination with the favorable acceptability scores received, make the NDS a worthy candidate for advanced development.