Why Royal Navy crews wear flash gear at action stations

Why does the Royal Navy wear flash gear at action stations when US Navy crews often appear not to?

British practice is linked to hard experience with fires and explosions; the apparent US difference may partly reflect different protective clothing.

British practice reflects experience of fires and explosions in the world wars and the Falklands. Flash gear at action stations is a conservative precaution. US Navy personnel may use differently styled protection, so their appearance alone does not establish an absence of protective clothing.