CHAPTER IV 



TRAINING 



H. H. Watters 



National Aeronautics & Space Administration 



George C. Marshall Space Flight Center 



ABSTRACT 



There were three primary training efforts associated with 

 TEKTITE II: A habitat systems course in Philadelphia, Pa. for 

 engineer aquanauts, premission aquanaut training on St. John, 

 and watch director training, also conducted on St. John. These 

 programmed sessions were supplemented by written familiarization 

 materials, previously distributed to participants. Instructors 

 for St. John training were drawn from the operational organiza- 

 tion; training activities were coordinated by the NASA onsite 

 representative. In addition to a cursory description of aqua- 

 naut selection procedures, each training effort is discussed 

 below. 



ENGINEER TRAINING 



Aquanaut engineers were selected from a number of candidates submitted by 

 several participating organizations. The diver qualifications of each candi- 

 date were thoroughly reviewed, each having to have completed a recognized course 

 of SCUBA training. Each candidate received a thorough physical examination 

 administered by his personal physician prior to arriving onsite. The results 

 of this and final onsite medical examinations were reviewed by the TEKTITE II 

 medical officer. Aquanaut engineer applications were reviewed by a joint NASA, 

 DOI, Smithsonian Institution Committee which evaluated candidates' qualifica-* 

 tions including formal or practical education in relevant technical disciplines. 



In early February 1970, all prospective aquanaut engineers were required to 

 attend a 3-day course conducted by the General Electric Company in Philadelphia, 

 Pa. The course, which consisted of combined classroom and practical exercises 

 in the habitat, began with a description and discussion of anticipated engineer 

 duties and responsibilities. System operation and maintenance were emphasized 

 in this introduction. It was also explained that the engineer had the responsi- 

 bility for training the four scientist aquanauts in system operation as required 

 for safety and routine housekeeping chores. 



After this general introduction, structural plumbing, environmental control, 

 atmospheric monitoring, electrical power and communications systems were exam- 

 ined in depth. The general format for each system discussion consisted first 

 of a system description, then a detailed listing of normal and contingency 

 operating procedures (including emergency and maintenance instructions) . 

 Emphasis in each case was placed on step-by-step procedures familiarization. 

 The final phase of the course consisted of a review of emergency procedures for 

 fire, flooding, contamination, and. habitat evacuation. In addition to discus- 

 sions of actions to be taken in these circumstances, engineers were asked to 

 name probable failures that might lead to the emergency and to recommend possible 

 emergency repairs. 



IV-1 



