250 HUMAN BEHAVIOR PROGRAM 



Data Collected in Water During Submersion 



To fully understand the data on the performance measures in the water, it is important to 

 keep in mind that the Sealab II Project was not undertaken solely for the purpose of testing hu- 

 man performance capabilities. 



The plan for diver participation during each team's 15-day submergence period called for 

 each diver to do each psychomotor test at least once, and for a pair of divers to do one of the 

 tests every other day. It also was planned that when a test measuring strength or manipulative 

 ability was used, it be carried out at the beginning and at the end of a sortie. It quickly became 

 apparent that this plan, or any plan, calling for a systematic accomplishment of the test, could 

 not be implemented. The pressure of events, unforeseen circumstances, malfunctioning of 

 equipment, and the necessity for putting the safety of the divers before every other considera- 

 tion, rendered the following of any fixed schedule impossible. Under these conditions, it was 

 decided to gather some data on all of the tests, even though the observations from any one test 

 would be small in number, and unsystematic with respect to who did the test, and when. 



While the amount of material collected overall was considerable, it is much broader than 

 deep. We may thus expect to see the emergence of a pattern of effects, rather than the pre- 

 cise testing of individual cause-and-effect relationships. 



In addition to the tests on which data were collected, plans and preparations were made to 

 conduct additional tests. These tests and the reasons for their lack of success will be described 

 later in this report. 



Psychomotor Tests — The following four psychomotor tests are those on which data were 

 successfully collected. In each test the apparatus and general experimental procedures were 

 those described in the Predive Baseline Data section of this chapter. Any modifications of the 

 procedures will be noted. 



Strength Test — The two torque wrenches were mounted on the habitat at the end of the 

 shark cage. While performing the test the diver stood on a platform approximately two feet 

 above the bottom. The data were recorded by the divers and later transferred to the Sortie 

 Report Form described earlier. This test usually was done at the beginning or the end of a 

 sortie. 



Individual Assembly Test — This test was performed using a platform, mounted on the end 

 of the habitat shark cage, designed to be at working height while standing on the bottom. Due 

 to the arrangement of lights, however, the test sometimes was done on top of the shark cage. 

 This latter situation, coupled with the fact that the habitat had a six-degree list in two direc- 

 tions, made the task more difficult than anticipated. In spite of these obstacles, the divers 

 were able to perform the task successfully. 



Two-Hand Coordination Test — The gear box described earlier, with its supporting stand, 

 was located on the bottom about 15 ft from the shark cage. The procedure was followed as 

 planned. Due to technical difficulties with the automatic timer, the divers' watches frequently 

 were used for timing the performance. 



Group Assembly Test — This test, due to scheduling difficulties, was only performed once. 

 The plan of attack was worked out inside the habitat. The actual assembly took place in the 

 water using the platform attached to the shark cage. 



Visual Tests of Form and Color — The purpose of the Form/Color Test was to measure 

 detection and discrimination of form and color underwater. Many operational situations re- 

 quire a swimmer to distinguish form and color. In addition, future underwater communication 

 systems may require the use of shape and color. For these and other reasons, it was thought 

 desirable to take advantage of the Sealab II program and collect data at depths greater than any 

 worked at previously. Because of variations in ambient light, and the absorption and filtering 

 characteristics of sea water, one cannot be sure as to whether data collected near the surface, 

 say on color discrimination, can be extrapolated to greater depths. 



