Argentinean Submarine down - USN rescue team mobilised
La Nación is reporting now that of the 44 on board, 6 are "Buzeos tacticos" who are the Argentine equivalent of SBS and who are all highly trained divers, and would be trained in underwater egress from a submarine. I would have thought there would be an escape attempt by them by now, if oxygen levels were critically low, and if the boat really is in 230ft. So maybe oxygen is not yet critical, or else the scenario is bad.
Even if the divers escaped, unless there was someone on the surface, what would they do then?
Unless this boat is found soon then I suspect that the outcome will be tragedy for all concerned.
Battery Acid and Saltwater combined produces......?
Chlorine gas is it?
How does that affect the air supply inside a sealed Submarine?
Are the batteries old fashioned Lead/Acid Batteries or is there a different technology that eliminates that risk?
Why would the Sub not be able to surface or remain on the surface if there was water ingestion while snorkeling considering it communicated its situation to Higher Command and were told to head home?
Folks....start doing some critical thinking here.
There is something seriously amiss in what is being made public and in turn being discussed here.
Chlorine gas is it?
How does that affect the air supply inside a sealed Submarine?
Are the batteries old fashioned Lead/Acid Batteries or is there a different technology that eliminates that risk?
Why would the Sub not be able to surface or remain on the surface if there was water ingestion while snorkeling considering it communicated its situation to Higher Command and were told to head home?
Folks....start doing some critical thinking here.
There is something seriously amiss in what is being made public and in turn being discussed here.
Even if their special forces were on board they would not have the gases either mixtures or quantity to ascend from that depth (75m) on board allowing for decompression stops required to eliminate Nitrogen from the bloodstream. Read an autobiography from and ex SBS man, they used Oxygen for very shallow operations otherwise air for normal operations. If they had to approach a target unless a beach/installation recce they would surface and go in with canoes.
Even if the divers escaped, unless there was someone on the surface, what would they do then?
Unless this boat is found soon then I suspect that the outcome will be tragedy for all concerned.
Even if the divers escaped, unless there was someone on the surface, what would they do then?
Unless this boat is found soon then I suspect that the outcome will be tragedy for all concerned.
Our SBS use Divex rebreathers with oxygen for shallow operations (<6m) and nitrox for down to about 24m. The RN FDU clearance divers use Divex rebreathers down to 80m using helium as diluent.
They could ascend from 75m on open-circuit air, but it would be dangerous. The pp02 would be about 1.8 which is at high end of tolerance, but they would only be subject to high levels for a short period during initial ascent. They would not need any decompression stops as they would only be at 75m for a minute or two before leaving the water-lock. They could ascend with some form of collapsible or inflatable boat. I should disclose that I am an experienced technical diver, certified down to 90m on trimix open-circuit, and 80m on rebreathers.
Our SBS use Divex rebreathers with oxygen for shallow operations (<6m) and nitrox for down to about 24m. The RN FDU clearance divers use Divex rebreathers down to 80m using helium as diluent.
Our SBS use Divex rebreathers with oxygen for shallow operations (<6m) and nitrox for down to about 24m. The RN FDU clearance divers use Divex rebreathers down to 80m using helium as diluent.
Two questions though, a) would they have the correct gases available and b) does the boat have a lock out chamber which being the type it is I would think not. Don't the submarines normally come to just on the surface allowing the decks to wash to let SF teams out or like the USN use SDS equipment.
Sir, you have my total respect as a recreational diver but I do think happily that people who operate at those depths are slightly if not completely mad. having met a fleet clearence diver, fantasic guy and in the water he was amazing, just so comfortable.
Two questions though, a) would they have the correct gases available and b) does the boat have a lock out chamber which being the type it is I would think not. Don't the submarines normally come to just on the surface allowing the decks to wash to let SF teams out or like the USN use SDS equipment.
Two questions though, a) would they have the correct gases available and b) does the boat have a lock out chamber which being the type it is I would think not. Don't the submarines normally come to just on the surface allowing the decks to wash to let SF teams out or like the USN use SDS equipment.
As I said earlier, it would be perfectly possible to surface from 75m using compressed air. An oxygen partial pressure of 1.8 is higher than generally risked by sensible divers (we use a max of 1.4 on bottom, and 1.6 on deco stops), but USN divers do go to 2.0 in extremis and for short periods. It would not even require much gas - ascent would take about 4 mins, at average depth of around 5ATA, so approx 20*4*5 = 400l - so easily possible even with a tiny 5l tank.
I see that an RAF A330 is currently (1215Z 22nd) routing over Argentina (passed overhead Buenos Aires about 15 mins ago) at FL400 having left Brize last night at around 2215Z
A very unusual occurence in itself, I suspect must be related to the rescue effort?
Before anyone asks/comments, this is clearly visible in the public domain on FR24!
A very unusual occurence in itself, I suspect must be related to the rescue effort?
Before anyone asks/comments, this is clearly visible in the public domain on FR24!
The SBS used to be able to egress from submerged submarines - i would guess they still have the capability now. But as you can imagine it takes a lot of training, and I doubt anybody would want to try it from 75m. I don't know whether the Buzeo Tacticos have the capability.
As I said earlier, it would be perfectly possible to surface from 75m using compressed air. An oxygen partial pressure of 1.8 is higher than generally risked by sensible divers (we use a max of 1.4 on bottom, and 1.6 on deco stops), but USN divers do go to 2.0 in extremis and for short periods. It would not even require much gas - ascent would take about 4 mins, at average depth of around 5ATA, so approx 20*4*5 = 400l - so easily possible even with a tiny 5l tank.
As I said earlier, it would be perfectly possible to surface from 75m using compressed air. An oxygen partial pressure of 1.8 is higher than generally risked by sensible divers (we use a max of 1.4 on bottom, and 1.6 on deco stops), but USN divers do go to 2.0 in extremis and for short periods. It would not even require much gas - ascent would take about 4 mins, at average depth of around 5ATA, so approx 20*4*5 = 400l - so easily possible even with a tiny 5l tank.
As I said before, respect but you are all mad completely mad.
The Oberon class had an escape compartment which was used for underwater escape but also egress. You can read how it was used here:
https://maritime.org/doc/oberon/escape/index.htm#pg12
May have been out of the FI
Just noticed this in La Nación:
"El protector buque polar inglés había divisado tres bengalas hacia el Este. Dos blancas y una naranja. Esto fue informado a Puerto Belgrano y se ordenó el despliegue de tres unidades de superficie para que hagan un patrullaje", explicó.
HMS Protector has spotted three flares (two white and one orange) towards the East. Three aircraft are one the way to carry out search patrol.
"El protector buque polar inglés había divisado tres bengalas hacia el Este. Dos blancas y una naranja. Esto fue informado a Puerto Belgrano y se ordenó el despliegue de tres unidades de superficie para que hagan un patrullaje", explicó.
HMS Protector has spotted three flares (two white and one orange) towards the East. Three aircraft are one the way to carry out search patrol.
No, definitely not. Inside the sub, they are at 1ATA, so have no deco obligation. They would just ascend from depth - so would have a "bottom time" too short to have any deco obligation.
The Oberon class had an escape compartment which was used for underwater escape but also egress. You can read how it was used here:
https://maritime.org/doc/oberon/escape/index.htm#pg12
The Oberon class had an escape compartment which was used for underwater escape but also egress. You can read how it was used here:
https://maritime.org/doc/oberon/escape/index.htm#pg12
Just noticed this in La Nación:
"El protector buque polar inglés había divisado tres bengalas hacia el Este. Dos blancas y una naranja. Esto fue informado a Puerto Belgrano y se ordenó el despliegue de tres unidades de superficie para que hagan un patrullaje", explicó.
HMS Protector has spotted three flares (two white and one orange) towards the East. Three aircraft are one the way to carry out search patrol.
"El protector buque polar inglés había divisado tres bengalas hacia el Este. Dos blancas y una naranja. Esto fue informado a Puerto Belgrano y se ordenó el despliegue de tres unidades de superficie para que hagan un patrullaje", explicó.
HMS Protector has spotted three flares (two white and one orange) towards the East. Three aircraft are one the way to carry out search patrol.