Human Factors Evaluation of Submarine Escape: II-A. Top Egress with the British Submarine Escape Immersion Suit and the Steinke Hood
Abstract
The British Mark VII Submarine Escape Immersion Suit (SEIS) which provides thermal protection and the Steinke Hood which does not, were evaluated for single-man and group escape (2- and 3-man teams) from a simulated top egress United States Navy escape trunk. For both escape appliances, egress time increased linearly as a function of team size. Three-man teams and two-man teams escaped faster with the SEIS than with the Steinke Hood; there was no difference for one-man escapes. Single-man escape times with the SEIS were comparable to those obtained by the British. When compared with side and tube egress, top egress offers a substantial reduction in escape time and therefore in total bottom time. Safe escapes from depths in excess of 450 feet by teams of more than two men are feasible from a top hatch configuration but are not possible from a side or tube egress configuration. A submarine escape system employing top egress and the exposure protection of the SEIS is recommended.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0730711
Entities
People
- Bernard L. Ryack
- Gary B. Walters
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory