254 HUMAN BEHAVIOR PROGRAM 



with those seen on the TV monitor. The successful completion of this experiment would have 

 had considerable implications, both from a standpoint of research, as well as military applica- 

 tions. The lack of a suitable underwater TV camera prevented this study from being carried 

 out. 



In addition to the specific problems of in-water experimentation, there were several of a 

 more general nature which affected the data gathering in the topside audiovisual monitoring 

 station. Some of these are described briefly below. 



1. Unavailability of subjects — The entire Sealab crew was seldom, if ever, available to- 

 gether at any one place at the same time during training. This fact, coupled with inadequate 

 lead time, made data collection less complete than it might have been otherwise. 



2. Communications — The marginal intelligibility of helium speech, particularly in a high- 

 ambient-noise environment, caused serious difficulties with regard to monitoring communica- 

 tions and conversation. Furthermore, the failure of the electrowriter, provided for the purpose 

 of recording written communications to topside, meant that these data likewise were not avail- 

 able for analysis as had been planned. 



3. Problems in TV monitoring — The data gathered around the clock by observing TV was 

 compromised by frequent poor picture quality, plus the fact that the entrance area of the cap- 

 sule was not covered by a TV camera at any time. This was the area in which nearly all prep- 

 arations for dives were carried out. Extensive plans had been made to gather data on dive 

 preparation, and the availability of such information would have increased greatly the knowledge 

 of social interaction and problems associated with such activities. 



RESULTS 



This section, to be meaningful, should be interpreted with a clear understanding of the na- 

 ture of the Sealab environment. For this reason the following comments are included prior to 

 presentation of the results. 



Environmental Stresses of Sealab 



There can be little doubt that the Sealab environment was stressful. This, however, does 

 not imply that deterioration in behavior as a result of the existing stresses was necessarily 

 predicted. Rather, to speak of Sealab as stressful is to attempt to define the context in which 

 behavior was assessed in this study. 



The following description of the Sealab II environment is intended to give to the reader a 

 clear picture of conditions as they existed during this experiment. It should be understood, 

 however, that the aquanauts were more accustomed to working under such circumstances. 

 While these adversities may seem almost insurmountable to the average reader, they are 

 viewed more as a challenge and inconvenience by the Sealab divers. 



A principal cause of stress in Sealab was the sea itself. The ocean at 200 ft is an unfor- 

 giving adversary. The water was cold (46° to 50° F) and visibility was poor, ranging from zero 

 to 30 ft at best. For safety reasons, slight negative buoyancy was desirable for a swimmer. 

 Negative buoyancy, however, kept a man on the ocean floor, where swimming action would stir 

 up fine silt, thus complicating the visibility problem. Further, by being close to the bottom, he 

 was exposed to the painful stings of bottom-lying scorpion fish. Additional complications in 

 the water were presented by the fact that the terrain was unfamiliar. Landmarks had to be 

 learned gradually, and it always was necessary to follow lines attached to Sealab; otherwise it 

 would have been quite easy to get lost. Once lost, a man away from Sealab would be at the 

 mercy of his limited air supply, since there was no possibility of heading for the surface, the 

 normal reaction of a diver in trouble. To surface would mean instant and certain death from 

 the bends, as each man was saturated with gas at approximately seven atmospheres pressure. 

 A single 40-in. -diameter hole, the entrance hatch in his habitat, was the only safe haven for a 

 Sealab aquanaut. 



