Ask an Aquanaut: Emergency Departure?
Hi,
My name is Katrina and I’m from Ada Merritt K-8 Center in Miami,Florida. I was just wandering in case of an emegency what would you guys do and how would the entire crew get to the surface?
Dear Katrina
Hello and great question. In case we had to end a mission due to an emergency, all of the aquanauts would evacuate Aquarius with a mask and breath through a very small scuba bottle (which can be held in one hand). All power would be secured, and valves and doors in Aquarius would be closed, if possible. All of the aquanauts would stage into the emergency gazebo, which is a safe haven right next to the entrance of Aquarius. The gazebo resembles a thimble on four legs and is filled partially with air. Within minutes, an emergency response team would dive down and help bring us safely to the surface. However, because we have been underwater for a long time (considered saturated), all aquanauts would be rushed to our shore facility to begin decompression.
Dewey Smith
Aquarius Aquanaut and Habitat Technician
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