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Fw: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re:SUBSAFE
Title: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re:SUBSAFE
It is true that an increasing number of tech divers
die, the reason being the increasing number of tech divers or so called. I am
happy that Dam brought up this subject because it is a good example of what
could happen with psubers.
Tech diving was "self regulated" for a long
time with only a limited of highly experienced divers who dared the
venture.
Today with the diversity of new
equipment beginners to tech diving may not know their limits or the real
dangers and unfortunately , sometimes pay the ultimate price.
You can even find plans to make home made
rebreathers over internet !
Intrusive regulations in that case would mean to
protect the divers against themselves. and to ensure that the diver is really
qualified.
Here at psubs, there
are 2 issues , not 1, the safety of the psuber of course and most the safety of
others.
There ARE incidents outhere, most of the time
it is covered up, but it happens, I have seen a battery bank on fire in a large
tourists sub, explosions in battery box, flood of a small sub (submersion with
hatch still opened, yes!!!), and so on...
never heard of fatality or somebody hurt
though.
Safety records are good because of the limited
numbers of psubs, skilled constructors, and cost of construction which
discourage lousy ideas.
Comparison with an experimental aircraft is not
entirely accurate because in case of catastrophic failure the exp aircraft
eventually will crash on the ground and somebody might get hurt, in case
of catastrophic failure in a psub, the operator is going down without
hurting anybody outside. and it does not make the head lines.
So lets keep our subs safe for ourselves and
everybody around,
ABS, USCG, and others have extensive
litterature , i dont think PSUBS needs to create another standard, but here
"wilde" designs which include dangerous components, no matter HOW they are
arranged, should be just rejected.
nobody uses CO2, propane, H2.
why even bother with posts on nuclear reactor
in psubs! come on be real.
Any constructor shouldv Try to eliminate what
can go wrong rather than assuming that it will be ok.
I have to face almost every month inquiries from
law enforcement agencies because of threats of underwater attack, we are not far
from new regulations specially if an idiot somewhere wants to
revolutionize submaking with dangerous ideas.
Now for desert, when i read on the posts that a 6th
grade is enough to build a $2M deep sub, hence who said that never got to 6th
grade and / or does not have 2 nickels to rub together since he 's never
got to have a sub .
Herve
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 11:53
PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST]
Re:SUBSAFE
To All current and aspiring Psub builders and operators,
I
think SAFETY and PRUDENCE are very important points that should be really
taken to heart. As "Tech" divers kill themselves in ever increasing numbers,
that sport moves closer to more intrusive regulation. If we all had to certify
our subs with ABS (at$10,000.00 to $20,000.00 a throw) and operate under
expanded U.S. Coast Guard regulations, How long do you think this would be a
viable sport? We don't have the membership base to create a DEMA or an EAA. We
could easily be regulated right out of existance. Private aviation is a
perfect example. If the EAA hadn't lobbied for the Experimental class, How
many people could afford to own a plane of the FAA certified type?( ie
Cessna ,Piper etc) you get the point . I am new to the Psub website but not
new to sub building and pressure vessels. I have 23 years experience as a
Boilermaker. I am not bringing this point up to be arrogant or condecending, I
am bringing it up because as i look thru the archives and read the current
chat some of it it very unsettling. Example:"Using A36 Steel for a sub
pressure hull " a definate no no. That person needs to do some more homework.
I fully realize that alot of the chatter is just idle fantasy and will
probably never be acted upon, thats ok, thats what life is all about. But if
the 1% or 2% of the scary ideas are carried out. That worries Me . I have a
sizeable investment in my sub and i would like to use it for more than a shop
ornament.
If your thinking of building a sub read " Manned
Submersibles", ABS or Loylds of London (Rules for submersibles and diving
systems) , and ASME manuals for PVHO. If you find some or all of this
information overwhelming seek out someone who does understand it and FOLLOW
their advice. If you don't, you can and will get hurt and also ruin it
for the rest of us! Just because you can cobble something together to save
money doesn't mean you should.
Well enough ranting, I am by no means an
expert but if someone needs help i would happy to help them or steer them in
the direction of somebody who can. Small Manned Submersibles have had a good
safety record up till now, let's keep it that way!
Dam Lance