Alec, In conjunction with the paper on PSUB Emergency Escape
that I will be presenting at this summer’s conference, there will be a
simulator available for practicing escape from a sub the size of a 2-man K-350
sized submersible. S.S. Excrutiator is of aluminum modular construction
with a “hull” 3 ft. square by 7 ft. long, a sail that is near the
diameter of the K-350, and a heavy poly tarp liner to keep the “flood”
in. The hull is flooded to a level of 2 to 2 ½ ft. prior to 1 or 2
participants entering to begin a sim run. The participants will wear an un-inflated
helo escape buoyancy vest to simulate similar PSUB safety gear and to offer
some bulk and snag potential to place artificial stress on the situation. Optionally
water and air can be blasted into the simulator to further add stress and realism.
The only light in the hull will be from vent holes in the deck so as to be
closer to a real DISSUB. If a participant feels overly uncomfortable or
panics, all they have to do is stand up as the deck is in 2 pieces and not
bolted down. See http://www.frappr.com/?a=viewphoto&id=260879&pid=5695110
for renderings of the unit as it is to be built. We will be running a timed escape contest for 1- and 2-man
teams. They will have to exit the sub without popping the deck panels and drag
a weight 250 feet to simulate the effort expended in struggling to the surface
during an escape. Some award, yet to be determined, will be given to the
winners (award donors will not be turned away J). After having completed free ascent training during submarine
service and struggling out of a number of sunken subs during diving expeditions,
it is my opinion that most PSUBers don’t give enough thought to what
emergencies they might encounter or how to handle an emergency escape. I’ll
admit that I was on the verge of panic more than once. The S.S. Excrutiator
should be a fun way of bringing these points home and actually develop some
skills that will be beneficial if they should ever need to make an escape. It
is my plan to donate the simulator to the PSUB organization at the conclusion
of the conference. NOW WHO IS UP TO THE CHALLENGE? R/Jay Respectfully, Jay K. Jeffries Andros Is., Bahamas A skimmer afloat is but a
submarine, so poorly built it will not plunge. |