Submarine Escape: Side, Tube, and Top Egress with Alternative Escape Appliances and Team Sizes

Abstract

Egress capability with the British Mark VII Submarine Escape Immersion Suit (SEIS) and the Steinke Hood was evaluated for one-, two-, and three-man teams from side-, tube-, and top-egress escape trunks. Top egress was considerably more rapid than either tube or side egress; tube egress was superior to side egress. Egress time increased linearly as a function of team size for both escape appliances. For tube and side egress, escape with the Steinke Hood was more rapid than with the SEIS; the SEIS was superior for top egress. Escape position of a subject within a team had no effect on egress time. When compared to side and tube egress, top egress results in a substantial reduction of total bottom time.

Human Factors Evaluation of Submarine Escape. IV: Evaluation of Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment Mark 1 Mod 0 for Side and Top Egress with Two Disconnect Systems

“…3 The major features of these configurations are shown in Figure 5. The rational and details relating to the selection of specific dimensions and components of each trunk configuration are discussed inRyack, Rodensky, and Walters 1 and Ryack and Walters 2 .…”