^ - • - • v8 



TEST PROGRAM 

 Surface Tank Tests 



The device. Figures 4 through 6, was tested first in the 10-foot-deep 

 diving tank at CEL. All features perfomed as intended and divers 

 reported that in its neutrally buoyant node the device could be easily 

 aaneuvered and delivered to the botton by ont? nan swicaing without 

 benefit of swin fins. Because of the absence of water currents in 

 the tank, divers reported the device could be controlled at the bottoa 

 site by effort of only one finger. Divers using tht device also reported 

 that they had no difficulty In performing all retjuired underwater 

 operations, including disengaging t{ie restraining bridle that keeps 

 the collapsed bag housed, canipulatlng the bag closure zipper to adjust 

 buoyancy, re-collapsing the deployed bag and stowing the bag in its 

 compartsvent . The divers easily laaneuvered a 600-pound load from location 

 to location on the tank bottom. 



With the inflation bag in collapsed node and with the aessenger 

 line tethered tc an object on the tank botton, the line paved out 

 without problem as the device rose ta the surface. In this mode the device 

 ascended very slowly and could not have caused dasage co any object 

 at the surface. The device was not released froa the botton with the 

 buoyancy bag inflated because the diving tank was too shallow to test 

 the effectiveness of the water brake. 



All of the tests in the tank va?re witnessed through vieu-ports 

 in the tank side wall?. 



Divers recoirjiended the follow^ing aodif ications to further ease 

 the efforts required if. handling and operating the device underwater: 



1. Provide a larger and nore rigid tab on the zipper slide. 



2. Provide a hand grip at the top of the bag to be used to 

 improve diver control of the zipper. 



3. Provide a short strap or chain on the load attachaent ring. 



U. Enlarge the vents in the lower fiber glass structure to 

 facilitate release of entrapped gases. 



5. Modify the ba^^ retaining bridle by providing a larger ring 

 for attaching the snap or by providing a snap with a 

 better hand grip. 



6. Relocate the gas inflation control valve to inprove 

 accessability. 



7. Consider providing a neans to assist the diver in repacking 

 the bag when it has been deflated underwater. 



