Crews Health

Is it healthy to live aboard a nuclear submarine?

The common person does not know much about nuclear submarines, so the issue of health is in the dark. The navy exclaims its healthy victorious journey through time and sea, but all tales are not told. I would not feel guilty or shameful to say that the basic heath of submariners is ignored. Granted it is up to each person to maintain their own health, but one can only go so far to overcome daily restrictions and obstacles.

There is a revolving 18 hour day which in itself is somewhat unnatural. Some scientist somewhere figured out that this was the most efficient means of operation. Those said scientists have not probably bothered to place themselves on the recommended schedule for an extended period of time.

Often you are not allowed to exercise for atmosphere control and due to mission regulations. Other times, being up for 36 - 52 hours naturally (if it may be stated that way) kills any desire to maintain your body or health.

Most fresh food is gone within a week. The meal quality, which is supposed to be among the best in the fleet, is its own topic.

On frequent occasions, and against federal safety rules in place, my command officers found it necessary to paint major portions of the boat while underwater. This was not usually accomplished out of necessity, but for shipboard beautification. To claim the commanding officers usual status, ignorance, would be inappropriate on all levels. Not only were people painting, but on several occasions a large portion of the crew was sectioned off to be part of the "paint team." During these exercises, many of these crew members had no job other than to paint the boat while it was under water.

Not all members of the crew were allowed to use respirators, and some were even prohibited from using them as they could not receive them because they had not attended the training course. The main source of filtration while underwater are those breathing the tainted air. I do not believe the headache inducing paint huffing abides by the navy zero tolerance program. Then again, because it is only destructive and it softens the brain for further brain washing, it might be acceptable.

The oxygen level is also artificially low. Again, scientists had decided that it was important for the crew members to have low energy levels. This is part of the reason that most of the foods are fatty, and is the whole reason oxygen levels are left below that of the outside world. This is not a positive if you are naturally a somewhat depressed person. This effect combined with the lack of sunlight and general negative atmosphere can quickly spiral you into extreme depression.

The navy has a physical readiness program, which I am forced to view as a joke. I have been to about a half dozen commands and have not seen any reasonable standards enforced or followed. To best point this out, I only have to think back to the 350 lbs + man that sat my courts martial. There was a program in place that kicked people out for being too heavy when I joined the navy. This program was abolished since too many people were eating their way to freedom.

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