Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-19

PRELIMINARY tests OF new
- method of using the lung the
Nays submarine escape device,
l. have indicated the feasibility OF
evacuating the crew of dis
abied submarine in one fourth the time
heretofore considered practicable.
The experiments, conducted for the
past few weeks at the Navy Yard here,
constitute the latest step of naval ex-
pertS toward submarine safety. The
lung" development comes in the wake
of successful tests with the Navy's new
auxiliary rescue apparatus, the bell"
Under present methods of employing
the "lung-an individual breathing de-
vice invented by Frank HobSon, civilian
engineer in the Navy Department;
Lieut.. G. B. Momsen, Navy submarine
expert, and Chief Gunner Clarence L.
Tibbals, noted Navy diving expert-the
escaping men must retard their ascent
to the surface by series OF hats at
depths indicated by markers on buoy
line
New Plan Tried Out.
This ''installment plan" of reaching
the surface was believed necessary to
avoid too rapid expansion of air in the
body, with consequent serious or fatal
results. The chief drawback to the in
termittent type of ascent was the delay
occasioned in completing rescue of the
entire crew of a stricken vessel. Sub
marine crews range in strength from 80
men for the R-type boats to 81 men for
the big v boats
Time Is a vital factor in submarine
rescue work Subiecting the crew of a
submarine to high presSures and cold
temperatures of great depths while they
await their turns to ascend the buoy
line is as perilous as a too rapid ascent.
While hiding their time remaining men,
beTS of the crew must stand in flooded
compartment At a depth of 800 feet
the sea pressure would be approximately
$50 pounds, and the temperature, ex-
cept in tropical waters. would be near
freezing.
It was with q view to spending up
the escape process that experiments
were undertaken in the big pressure
tank at the navy yard. In the tests
so far conducted the delayed ascent
plan was discarded in favor of quicker,
nonstop ascent, timed carefully to pre-
clude serious physiological reactions.
Slow, Steady Ascent Tried.
Repeated tests with Navy volunteers
working under the direction of Lieut..
Lowe H. Bibby, officer in charge OF
the experimental diving unit, have
proved successful for depths up to 100
feet, it is understood. Tests at greater
depths are to be undertaken later. The
subjects of the experiments have suf-
fered no Ill effects
If the tests prove conclusively the
feasibility of the new plan, it is expected
the Navy will adopt a new type of buoy
line for lung" escapes. The present
type consists Of rope fitted with nine
wooden markers or stops, spaced 10 feet
apart for distance of 100 feet below the
surface. In making his escape the
"lung" equipped victim slides up the
line to the first marker. halts for a
designated count. proceeds to the next
marker for another halt. and SO on I'M
til he finally emerges some minutes later.
The theory was that the stops would
permit expanding air in the body to dis
sipate gradually.
Under the new plan the buoy lines
would need no markers. The members
OF the crew would ascend the line hand
over hand. making steady but slow
progress toward the surface. 1t has been
found that the expanding air leaves the
body through the mouth and pores
without deleterious effects, providing
the ascent is gradual.
Germans ''ExpIoded' by Air.
1t has been shown that the maximum
safe rate of ascent is about one foot
second. If the speed is greater than
that, the body is unable to throw off |
the excess Of expanding air and death !
may result from ruptured lung Dur I
ing the World War several members of |
German submarine crews literally "ex-
ploded" on being shot to the surface /
from torpedoed vessels. One submarine |
saved himself from this |
fate by retarding his ascent with his /
hands and feet. He described in q
report the gruesome fate Of some OF |
his men who were less resoufceful.
This effect differs technically from I
the bends which is a condition i'm /
iuced by subsection to high water presL |
sures for long periods In the bends /
air is forced into the blood stream in /
the form OF small bubbles, which tend |
10 clog the afteries, impede STIMULATION I
and slow down the heart action. The /
remedy is recompressian in special