chapter 2 

 OBJEaiVES OF SEALAB II PROJECT 



The major objectives of Project Sealab II were: 



1. Determination of man's general ability to do useful work at a depth of 200 ft in a 

 realistic ocean environment under saturated diving conditions. 



2. Determination of physiological changes in man as a result of extended diving. 



3. Measurement of performance to determine work degradation or improvement, as 

 compared to surface-diver operations, and as a function of dive time. 



4. Determination of stressful conditions and their effects on the group interactions of 

 the aquanauts. 



The degree of success of each of the planned work functions varied considerably because 

 of the limited availability of diving time. In general, it can be stated that man's ability to do 

 work under saturated diving conditions at a depth of 205 ft was more than amply proved. Actu- 

 ally, the diversity of tests, while providing a considerable overall project enhancement, tended 

 to limit the measurement of man's capability in each specific field of interest. The determina- 

 tion of man's general ability to do useful work at 205 ft in a realistic ocean environment under 

 saturated diving conditions implies a wide range of work involvement. Such a diversity of work 

 was planned and undertaken in the Sealab Program. The various work assignments were 

 as follows: 



All three teams: 



Touch-sensitivity tests 



Arithmetical tests 



Aquasonic intelligibility tests 



Light and form visibility tests 



Stationary target array identification 



Contrast and resolution studies 



Visual acuity tests 



Auditory range studies 



Sound localization studies 



Water clarity meter correlation 



Strength testing 



Triangle assembly tests 



Two-hand coordination tests 



Group assembly tests 



Hookah evaluation 



Time-lapse photography 



Heated wet-suit evaluation 



Plankton studies 



Underwater weather station assembly, Calibration and Inspection 



Fish rake census 



Sediment coring 



Fish cage placement and stocking 



Teams 1 and 2 only: 



Sand movement studies 



Portable EEG, EKG recorder evaluation 



