How to Fight Fire or Flooding on a Nuclear Submarine - Smarter Every Day 244

TL;DR

Submariners share their training and procedures for responding to fires and flooding on a nuclear submarine.

Transcript

(upbeat music) (submarine sonar ping) - Hey, it's me, Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. Earlier this year, I had an amazing opportunity to board a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine on an ice flow in the Arctic. This is the next video in a Smarter Every Day deep dive series into submarines and how they work. So far, we've learned about the comman... Read More

Key Insights

• ❤️‍🔥 Submariners train rigorously to respond to casualties like fires and flooding due to the unforgiving nature of the submarine environment.
• 🌥️ Quick response and effective communication are crucial for addressing casualties and preventing them from escalating into larger issues.
• ❤️‍🔥 Submariners follow specific procedures for donning breathing protection, identifying the source of a fire or flooding, and using appropriate equipment to address the situation.
• ✊ Power must be secured and continuous application of extinguishing agents or pumps is necessary to prevent further damage.
• 🚂 All submariners, regardless of their primary role, are trained to respond to casualties, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and quick action onboard a submarine.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a casualty on a submarine?

Casualty refers to any type of problem or incident, such as fires or flooding, that can put the submarine and its crew at risk.

Q: How do submariners handle fires onboard?

When faced with a fire, submariners first ensure their own safety by donning Emergency Air Breathing systems (EABs). They then identify the location of the fire and use CO2 extinguishers or fire hoses to suppress it.

Q: What is the procedure for handling flooding on a submarine?

In the event of flooding, submariners use portable submersible pumps to remove water from affected compartments. They also secure power and use drain pumps to pump water off the ship.

Q: How do submariners communicate during firefighting efforts?

In a smoke-filled compartment, communication is often nonverbal. Submariners use hand signals and flashlight beams to indicate the location of the fire and coordinate the use of fire hoses.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Submariners undergo extensive training to handle casualties (problems like fires and flooding) that could jeopardize the submarine's safety and crew.

• In the event of a fire, submariners use Emergency Air Breathing systems (EABs) and a specific process to don breathing protection and extinguish the fire.

• If flooding occurs, submariners use portable submersible pumps and fire hoses to remove water from affected compartments, while also securing power to prevent further damage.