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Hi Hugh. Ya, Id like to see a little more ROV involvement in the psub
group. There's a lot of new developments in that industry that apply directly to
our little recreational subs.
As for escaping, I read the document and it still looks like a very
uncomfortable scenario, regardless of the system/tools available.
I've been in a "dry suit" and it was easier to put on than a
neoprene wet suit. Although I don't have much experience with them, it seems
like a logical choice if you had to affect a deep submerged escape.
There's no added buoyancy so some type of flotation is required. The old
"horse collar" vests were simple, fairly inexpensive, and they keep your face up
out of the water even if you're unconscious.
I'm puzzled why they ( the navy ) don't use scuba tanks. With a dry
suit, dive lights, scuba gear, and a well practiced plan, it should be possible
for a novice in good health to survive an escape. I don't know about that 900
fsw number, but maybe from 300 or so. Hell, you should be able to jettison a
compressed life raft too.
Common sense tells me that if it was easy, the navy would have figured out
a way, so there's got to be more to it than just opening the door and floating
out.
I'm guessing it's a scary, painful experience, and it should be avoided at
all cost. Brent said he's going to use his refit sub for escape training.
That would be a real benefit. I think a few dive/escapes at even a shallow depth
could be very useful, and could save lives. Where else we gonna get to try it.
I'm not too keen on scuttling my sub so I can practice bailing out.
Frank D.
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