Having worked at Harbor Branch a short time after the KSL incident, several issues were identified that have proved out in review of almost all submarine rescues:
1. Start rescue attempts as soon as possible, DO NOT DELAY! Any effort is better then waiting for the best option.
2. A second submersible vehicle can greatly assist a rescue attempt, whether it is an ROV or another submersible.
3. Provide adequate thermal protection in the submersible to mitigate long exposure to even moderate cold.
4. Emergency CO2 scrubber and O2 supplies should be sufficient to cover the maximum time expected before recovery can be completed (generally 72 hrs.).
5. If free-ascent is a viable option, start it at the earliest possible point as rising CO2 levels, numbing cold, fatigue and other developing catastrophes make it much more difficult later.
6. Different rescue scenarios should be sandboxed and looked at from all angles to determine what issues might be resolved to prevent the accident.
7. Submarine rescue should be practiced.
Respectfully,
Jay K. Jeffries
Andros Is., Bahamas
Natura nihil fit in frustra
- Nature does nothing in vain
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Rick and Marcia
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 1:17 AM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Storm and SUB
I understand there were circumstances surrounding that particular incident that led to these deaths being unnecessary. Apparently those present differed with the published version of the event.
The deaths were, I understand, preventable. The way the drama unfolded was what killed them, not the accident itself. A decision tree that went awry.