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Joe, Thanks for your response; I had hoped others would chime in.
The “full blown panic” comes from my days of doing search and
rescue. Cockpit Resource management (CRM) included a brief to a dog handler
prior to transporting a K-9 that if his dog went berserk, the dog went out the
door! Fortunately (or in some cases unfortunately), we do not have that option
aboard a PSUB. This is a question with no answer but what do you do in a K-350
with nowhere to retreat to? On large naval subs, just as they have recently
suggested for on the shuttle, the passenger is sedated and restrained in their
rack (have seen 2 people rendered thus). Your recommended actions are well thought out and reflect the
process of contingency planning. I will be included in the final paper and
presentation. As for the overhead environment, a PSUB can inadvertently get
into an overhead situation by maneuvering in under a large vessel or wandering
into a large sewer outfall (yes there are some outfalls that will swallow a K-350).
The same can be said for a cavern which may be well lit by ambient reflected
light and the pilot doesn’t realize that the boat has been moved in under
a ledge. R/Jay Respectfully, Jay K. Jeffries Andros Is., Bahamas A skimmer afloat is but a submarine, so poorly built it will not
plunge. From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Joseph
Perkel Jay, A very worthy topic of discussion. My input as follows per an
earlier off list response. 1) I had not considered until I read this, the
potential implications of a passenger in "full blown" panic. I
see this often enough in my work in the ICU, to recognize just how bad this
could be enclosed in a metal can with someone like that. In retrospect, although perhaps rare, I see how this has the real
potential to incapacitate the pilot and render the vehicle uncontrollable. The
recent astronaut incident illustrates human frailty, and the
necessity of contingency planning. Suggested remedies. Pre screen criteria to possibly include "dry runs" on land, with
darkened ports, pilot to "judge" response. Short duration "initial step down" dives, to "qualify"
observers for long duration deep dives. Pilot familiarity with stages of panic symptomatolagy. Any doubts, normal surface procedure Response to worse case scenario. Initiate emergent surfacing procedure Pilot to don or (secure) independent air supply Assume protective posture (pilot), retreat to fore / aft end away from
hatch Call for assistance if able Attempt "talk down" Call for assistance being the only reasonable response in my view. Any
attempts at restraint increase the potential for injury. As for overhead environments, the WHOI Alvin manual is short and sweet on
the subject. Basically a form of "No way Jose"! :) Jay, What is an "Outfall" pipe? a sewer line? I am assuming this
is big, nasty, and something likely to be encountered in the littoral environment. This convention is shaping up quite nicely, I do wish I could attend. Joe
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