186 AQUANAUT DAILY ROUTINES 



Drying the Mk-VI hoses and vests was a daily activity that usually did not start until the 

 evening hours, but continued throughout the night. A commercially available ladies hair dryer 

 was taped to the Arawak pump support framework and ducted with rubber hoses in such a fash- 

 ion that three Mk-VI vests could be dried at the same time. The system worked very well, but 

 was difficult to set up, and it needs some refinement before the next experiment. A greater 

 air -flow rate is one requirement. 



In general, activities associated with preparing for each dive, repair of equipment, and 

 logistics required too much of the Sealab divers' time. Although we spent an unprecedented 

 amount of time in the water, the support activity presented a work load far out of proportion to 

 the useful work done. The long hours and hard work were cheerfully accepted by these crews, 

 but when this type of duty becomes more prolonged and more commonplace and the motivation 

 provided by the experimental situation is no longer present, crew efficiency and morale will 

 flag. Better human engineering of all the equipment will be a most effective means for reduc- 

 ing the amount of time spent in diver support. 



The days on the bottom in Sealab II often consisted of 20 hours of steady work. There is, 

 however, no reason not to believe that with the refinement of procedures and equipment, and a 

 crew of the same calibre, we will be able in the future to accomplish much more useful work 

 in much less time, and have a little left over for recreation and a more nearly normal way of 

 life underwater. 



