A safety check should be conducted on the submersible vehicles once a day or every time they are taken out, which ever occurs more frequently.

Equipment that should be present:

• 2 class ABC fire extinguisters (located behind the seats)
• 1 smoke detector
• 2 communication devices, one of which is battery powered and only sends a distress signaL
• 1 extra oxygen canister
• 1 extra water canister
• 1 set of evacuation equitment per person, including mask and oxygen canister
• 1 set patching materials (expandable plugs, plastic sheet, knife, glue)

(To be conducted before the Sumbersible leaves the docking pool)
This includes the checking of the exterior for corrosion and checking of the lights.

• Dip stick readings to check the levels of oil and fuel.
• Visual check on filters to make sure not clogged
• Visual check on the coolant level and quality (is it overly dirty?)
• check on power in battery, and the pressure in the O2 canisters
• Visual check for internal corrosion, clogging, and fuel leaks
• Smelling for gas.
• Visual check on electrical connnections, belts, and water hoses. Look for corrosion or breakage.

• Smelling for gas
• Visual to make sure coolant is flowing
• Visual for leaks

Once the ship is submerged, there should be a quick checks for leaks as well as a check to ensure that the data-gathering equipment is functional as it should be.

WATER

In the case of a hull breach in the submersible:

• If the leak is slight.
  • It must be patched as soon as it is detected.
  • The appropriate officials aboard the station must be notified IMMEDIATELY.
  • The submersible must be returned to the habitat.
  • The appropriate personnel on shore must be notified IMMEDIATELY.
  • The mission assigned to the passenger of the submersible must be suspended until:
    • The leak has been repaired and the ship is safe for usage.
    • Another vessel is accessible for usage.
• If the leak is substantial, the passenger must evacuate the vessel immediately(if possible).
  • The appropriate personnel aboard the station must be notified IMMEDIATELY (via the communication device independent of the ship).
  • The passenger must be found and returned safely to the station.
  • The ship must be returned to the station (if possible) and repaired.
  • The mission of the passenger must be suspended until another vessel is available for usage.

In the case of a fire aboard a submersible:

• If the fire is close to the oxygen supplies and/or has caused significant leakage, evacuation gear must be put on, ensuring that the oxygen mask is secure. Radio distress signal must be activated and evacuation procedures followed.
• If the fire is close to the evacuation gear, attempt can be made to put it out with a class ABC extinguisher and the ditress signal activated.
• The station must be notified IMMEDIATELY. Information on the location, depth and direction of the submersible should also be given.
• Otherwise:
  • Put out the fire with the extinguisher.
  • Put on oxygen masks/evacuation gear.
  • Check the hull for leaks.
  • Contact station with status.
  • Run engine pre-run checklist, paying special attention for fuel leaks.
  • Contact station with status.
  • Return to station.
• If the station is contacted about a fire one resident should abandon his prior activities and stay on the radio with the submersible.
• If the station recieves a distress signal and contact is broken, a rescue team should be sent out IMMEDIATELY, as soon it has been discovered that they have lost contact.

• Before diving, ensure the gases present in the ranks at the necessary levels and that all diving gear is in good condition.
• No spontaneous dives are allowed. ALL dives must be planned and the plan submitted to the mission supervisor at least six hours before the dive is executed. All dive plans are subject to approval by the supervisor.
• Divers must log where they plan to go, and how long they plan to stay out, and they must also log back in on return.
• In addition to standard diving gear, they must wear a homing device and have a small flashlight and knife. The must ensure that the homing device and flashlight are fully functional before diving.

SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURE

In the case of a missing diver, everyone in the station should be notified.

• If the homing device is still functioning, a team of 2 divers will leave to the area. Diving teams will take
  • 3m of 1/8in plastic coated steel wire
  • wire cutters
  • communications devices
  • flashlights
  • compasses
• If the homing device is not working, the team will go to the last known position, and conduct a spiral search pattern, turning 90 degrees after every minute and 20*(the number of turns conducted)seconds (the first leg will be 60 seconds, the next 80, the next 100, etc). This search pattern will be abandoned in cases where it would not be useful, such as caves. The team should frequently contact the station.
• If the diver has not been found in one hour, one of the team members should be replaced. Replacements of one team member should occur every hour thereafter to avoid fatigue.
• Oxygen tanks last roughly 24 hours under strenuous conditions, and up to 42 when relaxed. If the diver has not been located within the first 6 hours, a circular search pattern using submersibles may be deemed nessesary.
• If lost, a diver should remain in one place if possible, and blink their flashlight. If they see a rescue team and are cabable of movement, they can swim over to them. If injured, they should only try to seize their attention.
• When bringing injured divers back to the station, movement of the affected area should be avoided.