Modern submarines are climate controlled environments, and are famously almost always just about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Up there it is always cold, and since energy on a diesel submarine was very critical because of the power, we couldn't run our heaters. So we would just be freezing most of the time. And there were absolutely no showers.
The temperature of the ocean surrounding the submarine is typically 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). The metal of the submarine conducts internal heat to the surrounding water. So, submarines must be electrically heated to maintain a comfortable temperature for the crew.
In the Engine room, the temps are routinely in the low hundreds F, berthing is normally about 72 F., and Priority Electronics spaces are kept in the mid 60s F.
You tend to get nauseous as the submarine makes its way down the ocean and when it is nearer the surface of the sea. But it is relatively calmer once it reaches the depth of around 280 ft. Irony Aboard Surrounded by water, the most precious commodity inside the submarine is water.
No, it will be fine. Pressure inside the submarine is well controlled and essentially the same as regular atmospheric pressure.
The showers on a submarine are set up much like the ones in your home, well kind of. They have hot and cold water access with a recirculation pump so that the water stays hot so that you can use it quickly and efficiently by minimising water usage. Reducing water usage is a constant major driver for submariners.
In any case, a submarine never sleeps. The crew are divided into two watches; everyone works six hours on and six hours off, so unless you get to sleep immediately after your watch, you'll be averaging a lot less sleep than six hours – it's an exhausting gig.
The cooling equipment of submarines consists of two separate systems, one for refrigeration proper, and the other for air-conditioning. The refrigeration plant is described here.
Modern submarines can stay underwater without coming to the surface for several days. This means crew members can breathe the same air for an unusually long time. Dr Aleksandra Sebastian and co-workers from Lund University, Sweden, have studied how the quality of air on submarines changes over eight days of submersion.
Amine fills the air
You are probably wondering why I would call this post such thing... Since Submarines remain submerged with a sealed atmosphere they rely on a chemical called Amine to remove the carbon dioxide. This chemical makes everything stink.
Everybody is aware that smoking is a legal, if harmful, stress reliever. So the Navy banned smoking aboard submarines not with the stated purpose of curing the smokers, but of protecting nonsmoking submarine crew members from the threat of heart and lung disease from secondhand smoke.
In 2010, the Navy successfully implemented a comprehensive smoking ban aboard submarines.
On fast attack subs, the food is lowered into the submarine at port by hand, one box of groceries at a time. On ballistic missile submarines, food is lowered through the escape trunk opening by crane in aluminum modules measuring six by six by five feet.
Underwater, submarines use acoustic signals (or SONAR) to communicate; in the air, airplanes use radio signals like cellular or WiFi. But neither of these signals can work across both water and air.
The crew constantly trains to handle various casualties, such as fire or flood. In addition to keeping the crew ready for any emergency, these drills also help shipmates pass the time. A submarine "day" lasts 18 hours and is split into three six-hour shifts.
Where do people sleep on the submarine? The submarine is divided into rooms called compartments. Four of the compartments are available for sleeping. These are the Forward Torpedo Room (10 bunks), After Torpedo Room (10 bunks), Crew's Quarters (36 bunks) and Officers' Quarters (3, 4 and 5 bunks).
The source explained: "Because it's a working environment everything gets positioned and the body will be lifted and put in the fridge, not in the torpedo tube like on Vigil, photographs are also taken as it's classed as a crime scene.”
Any time the submarine sends a signal, it identifies its position, and loses the secrecy that is at the core of the crew's mission. There is only one washer and dryer on board, so clean clothes are a luxury. But submarines are famous for their good food, always topped off with a desert or two, including ice cream.
How long and often can one shower for in a submarine? On a US nuclear sub, you take a shower every single day unless the evaporator is secured for a reason. In fact, the Chief of the Boat (COB) will usually demand you take a shower if you smell like sweat.
Food for the crew is the bulkiest commodity in a submarine and becomes the limiting factor for patrol duration. Fresh food lasts about two weeks, then it is canned, dried, and frozen food for the rest of the patrol. When a submarine leaves on patrol, food fills every available corner.
How Submarines Make Oxygen. The crew of a submarine needs to breathe - how do they get enough oxygen? Well, submarines have special machines that make oxygen from ocean water. They use a process called electrolysis, which means using electricity to break apart H20 molecules to get oxygen.
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Personnel on duty may not consume alcohol while on board Royal Navy submarines and off-duty consumption is tightly regulated to ensure that individuals are fit for duty if required at short notice. Commanding Officers may further restrict alcohol consumption should operational circumstances necessitate it.
In the enclosed atmosphere of the submarine, these pollutants can build up and pose a health risk. Therefore, aerosol cans (such as hair spray, shave cream, spray deodorant) are not authorized to be brought on board.
The inside of the submarine is maintained at normal atmospheric conditions, and so it feels no different to being on the surface. Therefore even at the bottom of the ocean your ears will NOT be affected.