HUMAN BEHAVIOR PROGRAM 267 



Divers' Comments on the Habitat 



Whenever long periods of time are spent in a confined area, factors related to comforts 

 and conveniences, workspace layout, noise levels, lighting, etc., which, for short stays, are 

 hardly noticed, become annoying and, at times, intolerable. The Sealab habitat is no exception. 



The debriefing interviews and questionnaires revealed that there are many improvements 

 which can be made. Each diver was asked to indicate the relative importance of a detailed list 

 of improvements. No attempt will be made here to discuss each of these lists. There were, 

 however, several problems of sufficient importance to affect the performance of the overall 

 operation. 



The single most important problem with respect to work interference was the size of the 

 entrance hatch and diving area. This area was always congested with men and equipment and 

 severely hampered operations. For example, it took an average of 45 minutes to prepare for 

 a dive with the Mark VI scuba rig. It took another 30 to 40 minutes to clean up after a dive. 

 This amount of preparation and cleanup time for a 30 to 40 minute dive sometimes discouraged 

 divers from going into the water at all. The overall result was less time in the water than 

 otherwise might have been the case. 



Other serious problems were related to humidity control, air circulation, storage space, 

 and noise levels (primarily due to the air compressors for the diving hose). In addition, there 

 were problems concerning outside lighting, hoist and cargo-handling facilities, layout of bunk- 

 room, and poor communication equipment. 



Cold Water and Visibility 



As discussed in the introductory paragraphs of the Results section in this chapter, there 

 are many hostile features present when living in the ocean. Cold water and poor visibility 

 were constant companions during Sealab II. When asked on the questionnaire, "Did you feel 

 you became better acclimated to the outside water temperature as time went on?" of the 26 

 divers responding, ten said, "Yes, quite well;" 12 said, "Yes, somewhat;" three said, "Yes, 

 only slightly;" and one said, "No, not at all." During the debriefing interviews some stated that 

 they felt they adapted in two to three days, while others felt they were still adapting to the cold 

 even at the end of the 15-day period. Interestingly, a few said the water felt warmer at night, 

 even though the thermometers did not bear them out. Many reported that their efficiency in- 

 creased as adaptation took place, and that at the end they were coming back to the habitat more 

 because of becoming tired than being cold. The degree of physical activity, of course, had a 

 marked effect on the feeling of being cold. All in all, the problem of cold can be overcome by 

 initial selection of divers, by careful planning of activities in the water, and by the continued 

 development of improved heated suits. 



Poor visibility is a problem over which we have less control. The general poor visibility 

 during Sealab II was of continual concern. Many of the men reported that they were constantly 

 preoccupied with their own and their buddies' personal safety, especially during the first few 

 days. In addition to concern over equipment, there was the ever-present danger of becoming 

 lost. Tether lines or guide lines were used at all times, even though the men became familiar 

 with the topography as time went on. As shown earlier, a diver's light could be seen from 15 to 

 90 ft, depending upon the water clarity; the glow of the combined lights of Sealab could be seen 

 even further, especially at night. Communication and signaling systems must be developed 

 which will increase the confidence of divers to work a greater distance over wider areas under 

 conditions of poor visibility. 



Comments on General Stress 



Many reports have suggested that the divers had short memory losses, that silly mistakes 

 were made, poor planning was commonplace, and that generally there was much more confusion 

 than would be expected. 



