Table of Contents

Flight Surgeon's Journal

Aquarius Expedition Mission Journal

Day 1, Oct. 15, 2001

The first day started with the scientific briefing and introduction of all personnel at 08:30. Emphasis was placed on safety.

The aquanauts participating include:

• Bill Todd (NASA), MS-1
• Dave Williams (CSA), MS-2
• Mike Lopez-Alegria
• Mike Gernhardt (NASA)

I am attending the Aquarius Expedition Mission to provide medical support to our Canadian astronaut or any of the other aquanauts as necessary and to learn about Aquarius and its benefits as a training tool for the CSA. A U.S. Navy Medical Officer also provides medical support. The NASA fight surgeon however was unable to attend for reasons unknown at present.

Following the briefing was the swim test: a 400-metre swim, 10 minutes of treading water and some rescue breathing. Lucky me, I was not required to perform these tests. Then came the equipment orientation; all the aquanauts are experienced scuba divers, however the equipment is different, as they will be using a two-air-cylinder system. As I am not one of the aquanauts, I will be using a single air cylinder; nevertheless, I still have to go through the equipment orientation with Otto, the boat captain and diving instructor (although I am an experienced diver, I have not dived since 1991).

Now we are ready for the eight-mile ride to the Aquarius dive site. The aquanauts and I go to the site on different boats (the aquanaut boat was very crowded). I proceeded to the Habitat on a boat called the Wild Card; it is one of the day-boats that bring additional instructors, observers and VIPs to the site.

The aquanauts got in the water first. Otto and I followed shortly after. While the aquanauts were performing their training, I was busy undergoing my own dive check with Otto which included loss mask, loss regulator and buddy breathing. After the test, Otto and I proceeded to the habitat (Aquarius) for an orientation. The first thing I saw was a huge six-foot grouper hanging around just underneath Aquarius; there were also a lot of barracudas. Otto showed me the structures and equipment outside Aquarius. We then proceeded inside the Aquarius airlock where we could remove our regulator and mask. The humidity was very high and there was a pronounced musty smell. Our voices were very different because of the increased ambient pressure (close to three atmospheres, or three times the pressure at the surface). We then checked out the gazebo, a small dome structure just outside the Habitat, which is used as a filling station for the air cylinders and an evacuation point in the event of an emergency inside the habitat (such as a fire). The aquanauts will also be able to communicate with surface support personnel from the gazebo.

We then rejoined the aquanauts and returned to the surface after a great 48-minute dive. Although not a decompression dive, we stopped at 15 feet for 3 minutes as an additional safety precaution. It was time to return to the research centre. After a shower to get rid of the salt on our skin, it was time for a 1-hour 45-minute debrief on the KMS-48 full-face mask and the OTS buddy phone that will be used on day 2. Then it's grocery shopping for tomorrow's lunch on the boat; we all agreed on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

Overall, it was a great first day. I was very impressed with the emphasis on safety and the similarities with the space program. I am very enthusiastic that Aquarius may prove to be a great analogue to space and serve as a great training tool for astronauts.

Day 2, Oct. 16, 2001

07:30. I am at the aquanaut barracks preparing the lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We will be on the boat much of the day 

08:30. Start of two-hour safety briefings. We covered many subjects:

• Lost divers
• Separated buddy pair
• Overstaying allowable bottom time
• Aquanaut out of air
• Accidental surfacing – conscious diver
• Accidental surfacing – disabled or unconscious diver
• Fast response boat recovery
• Safety and procedures
• Ear care
• Skin care
• Excursion planning
• Heat loss
• Medical kits
• Heavy loads
• Pressure seal devices

We are then ready to leave for the training site, so equipment has to be gathered, checked and loaded on the boats. After a 40-minute ride we are at a shallow reef more than a kilometre off the life-support buoy that is just above the habitat, we are all donning our equipment, ready for a great dive.

The first dive is to check out the new KMS-48 full-face mask and the OT Buddy phone. Different emergency scenarios was played: air-cylinder leak, regulator failure, out-of-air scenario and buddy breathing, flooding and clearing of the mask. I performed these tests except for the buddy breathing and air cylinder leaks and then observed the aquanaut training. We then resurfaced for tank change while the aquanauts practiced rescue breathing at the surface. The aquanauts did not require a tank change as they carried two tanks on their backs. We returned to 20 feet for more dive testing. The surge was getting much stronger and while kneeling on the bottom, we were easily pushed around. As in the Space Program, everything is practiced over and over again. Safety comes first and only through thorough knowledge of the equipment and the mastering of necessary skills, can safety be achieved. Just like space, the underwater environment does not forgive a mistake; it is a truly extreme environment, probably the best analogue to space.

On return to the research centre, we ate lunch on the boat and the aquanauts were welcomed back with a written exam. This was the end of a great day of learning.

Day 3, Oct. 17, 2001

Today's schedule was changed due to weather and sea forecasts predicting high winds and sea swells of three to five feet. Due to difficulty diving in waves greater than five feet we wanted to complete our diving objectives before the waves became too large. Following a quick briefing on tether protocols where we learned how to set tether lines to help us return to the habitat, and search for our buddy in low-visibility situations, we boarded the boat for two dives to practice our tether protocols. The first dive to 45 feet gave us a chance to practice the tether procedures we had learned on dry land. The second dive was more of a challenge, as we had to use the same techniques that we had practiced earlier after removing our facemasks. With the salt water stinging our eyes we worked with our buddies to find the lines that would lead us back to the habitat. By the time we finished the second dive, the sea swells were up to five feet so we headed back to dock for further briefings. 

The lectures in the afternoon reviewed compass procedures and underwater navigation. After the lecture we practiced our skills by navigating in the street with towels over our heads to block our vision while we used our compasses to go from one point to another! The last lecture before dinner reviewed night diving procedures—an important briefing for our team due to the number of night dives scheduled in our timeline. After a quick dinner break we got back together for lectures on underwater video photography and practice time with the cameras. Tomorrow the weather forecast predicts sea states too high for diving, so we will spend part of the day in lectures followed by an afternoon off. As the pace of our training continues our team of aquanauts is getting more and more excited about saturation diving.

The day started with the line-reel briefing to familiarize the aquanauts with the proper use of the tethers and what protocol to follow should problems develop, such as losing an excursion line, or a buddy. At the habitat, there are two types of line: boundary and excursion. Boundary lines delineate the area of the sanctuary while excursion lines are permanent lines connecting the habitat to specific points at the bottom of the sea. At any time the aquanauts leave the habitat, they follow excursion lines. Should their work bring them to area away from these lines, they will tether to the excursion line so as to find their way back. It is very easy to get lost underwater, and going back to the surface to reorient is really not an option during a saturation dive. Should they surface too quickly, they would develop the "bends" (decompression sickness, or DCS).

After practicing reel-line protocols, they were ready to take Delta 1 to the diving site, where they will practice these protocols; it is more difficult to perform tasks underwater than on land, just as in space. There will be two dives; the first is to practice the reel-line protocols and the second, the excursion-line loss protocol. To make it more difficult, aquanauts will have to remove their masks while practicing the excursion-line loss  protocol; this will greatly decrease their ability to see and cause discomfort in the eyes because of the salt water. 

To my great disappointment, I did not dive with them today as the day boat stayed at the centre. The seas were quite rough today with three- to five-foot waves and occasional 6-foot waves. Thankfully, no aquanauts felt seasick.

Upon return from the dive, they were briefed on night-dive and light protocols and reviewed some of the additional equipment they will be carrying.

After a quick supper, it was time for the briefing on underwater photography. During their stay in Aquarius, the aquanauts will be performing scientific studies, some of which will require the use of an underwater video camera.

The forecast for tomorrow is bad weather, so there will likely be no diving.

Day 4,  Oct. 18, 2001

As predicted, the weather today is not ideal, so there will be no diving. Saturday was scheduled as a day off before the saturation dive but now some diving has been added to the schedule.

The habitat briefings started today. Otter covered subjects such as:

• Loss of air supply,
• Loss of the environmental control unit
• Loss or fluctuation of electrical power
• Fire or smoke in the habitat (considered a life-threatening emergency)
• Habitat air contamination
• Habitat flooding
• Habitat evacuation

Following this debrief, Tim reviewed the use of VHF radio, the frequencies to be used, and radio communication protocol. VHF radio will be used for emergency only, if, for example, an aquanaut must resurface.

The aquanauts were then scheduled for their physical exams by the U.S. Navy doctor, primarily a neurological exam. It is important to know each of the aquanaut's baseline neurological status should they develop type II DCS (neurological decompression sickness).

Most of us were able to catch up on e-mail. Dave and I took part in teleconferences relating to coverage of this training mission.

The aquanauts have to prepare the personnel effects they want with them in the habitat, so that they can be brought down in sealed containers tomorrow.

We are scheduled for early departure tomorrow morning and hopefully the weather will improve.

Day 5,  Oct. 19, 2001

Bad start to the day; there are thunderstorms in the area. The good news is the weather should clear up later this morning. I left for the habitat at 10:00 a.m. on the RV Sabina, also known as the "workboat."

While the RV Sabina crew was busy taking food and the personal effects of the aquanauts to the habitat,  the aquanauts were diving off RV Delta 1 to review tank-filling procedures at the way stations and study the orientation along the various excursion lines.

I accompanied Otter and Ryan to Aquarius and was provided with a thorough orientation of the habitat. I shot great video footage from inside the facility. Otter and Ryan are the NURC personnel that will be staying down in the Habitat with the aquanauts for the duration of the mission. They were going through the checkout list to ready Aquarius for the arrival of the aquanauts in two days. 

After 60 minutes, I returned to the surface quite impressed with what I had seen. Despite an inside temperature of 81°F and 100% humidity, I found the environment quite comfortable. The size of the living quarters (main lock and bunk lock) is about same as the Service Module. There was a constant buzzing from the air conditioning unit and a regular rhythmic burping (bubble noise). A large porthole by the kitchen table looks outside onto the marine life (I saw a barracuda, the sergeant major, as well as divers). Another large porthole by the bunks will be uncovered during the mission. It was also very interesting to see the effects of increased pressure on sealed tin cans (e.g., of peanuts), They were crushed! Although fairly small, I think the aquanauts will find the habitat quite comfortable.

After we returned to the research centre, the director, Steven Miller,  gave a briefing on two science projects to be carried out by the aquanauts.

Project 1 is a coral analysis, where measurements are taken to evaluate the size and condition of corals

Project 2 is water quality measuring, to document variation in water chemistry on a daily basis and to selectively sample water when and if upwelling events occur. Upwelling is caused by internal waves that wash over the reefs, from the deepest sites shoreward. Upwelled water has higher concentrations of nitrate and phosphate and is usually much colder compared to ambient conditions.

Both projects will produce meaningful results that will contribute to an increased understanding of coral biology and water quality at the Conch Reef Aquarius site.

Day 6,  Oct. 20, 2001

After a one-hour meeting of the aquanauts to discuss tomorrow's timeline, we all board RV Sabina for a quick dive to the habitat. It is the first time the aquanauts enter Aquarius for the orientation briefing. They will be moving in tomorrow for the one-week mission. The USN doc and I stayed at the surface and helped the divers with their equipment.

The divers report colder water and decreased visibility.

NASA has sent "Space Food," the aquanauts will be eating the same food as astronauts and cosmonauts on the space station. This food is to be taken down tomorrow.

The aquanauts are ready for the mission and there is definite excitement in the air. They are ready after all the briefings and dive training they received.

Aquarius Expedition Mission Journal

Day 7, Oct. 21 2001, Mission Day 0

Today is the big day. The RV Delta 1 left at 9:15 with the aquanauts for the habitat. I went along as the filming crew to record the first use of Aquarius by astronauts. The wind is up and the sea is quite rough. Waves are reported to be four to six feet and there are rain showers in the area. The aquanauts got off the boat without problems, despite the rough seas. 

The first stop is Aquarius where the aquanauts will change their mask for the full-face masks that were podded yesterday with the battery case opened for pressure equalization thus allowing battery changes at depth. There are two EVAs (extra-vehicular activities) planned for today that will consist mainly of familiarization along the excursion lines. Water sampling will be done today. The aquanauts will have to respect a hard ceiling of 40 feet because they are saturation diving (they are required to remain below 40 feet).

Soon after the aquanauts left the boat, I started to experience symptoms of seasickness: sweating, headache and mild nausea. I was not scheduled to dive and was scheduled to return to the research centre on the RV Manta, one of the fast boats. The sea was such that the Manta was not able to get close enough to the Delta 1 so we could jump from one boat to the other, so I had to swim the distance. On the way back to the research centre, the seasickness slowly improved and was gone by the time we made it back to shore.

The RV Sabina left for the habitat at 13:00 and I was on it this time with my diving gear. By the time we arrived at the habitat, the waves were five to six feet with more than the occasional seven-footer. My dive was uneventful but currents were strong and visibility poor. My time on the bottom, at 53 feet, was quite short–only 23 minutes. I did not get to see the aquanauts through the habitat porthole as they were out on an EVA. Back on the boat, I was surprised not to have any symptoms of seasickness this time around.

During the tag-up at 19:00, the aquanauts reported they were all doing fine. On the Aquarius camera, we could see them having their supper.

The weather is supposed to improve during the week.

Day 8, Oct, 22, 2001, Mission Day 1

Severe rain showers early on, but the weather cleared and RV Sabina proceeded to the habitat around 11:00. The NURC crew was required to pod down some equipment and supplies to Aquarius. I took this opportunity to send down to Dave the video camera and hope to get good footage on life aboard Aquarius.

I had the opportunity to dive and observe the aquanauts having lunch, from outside Aquarius. Visibility was good when I dove but he aquanauts reported that it deteriorates later in the day. There were many more fish than last week around Aquarius; perhaps they are also curious about human activities. I saw a relatively large sea turtle swimming at the bottom of the sea near the habitat. The large jewfish was still roaming around underneath Aquarius. The Navy medical officer was with us and took some good pictures of me during the dive.

At the tag-up meeting this evening, the aquanauts reviewed today's activities and the scheduled timeline for tomorrow. Earlier in the day I had e-mailed the aquanauts who reported that they were all doing fine. It was obvious this evening that the crew was pleased with today's work and they were all in great spirit although they still had much work to complete prior to sleep.

Today the aquanauts did some science, taking water samples and measuring and taking pictures of coral as detailed in the their science program. They also started on the buddy phone detailed test objective, measuring range and transmission clarity.

EVA 1 for tomorrow is scheduled for Mike Gernhardt and LA at 08:30. It is planned for a maximum depth of 110 feet for 120 minutes. They will be repositioning the underwater camera that will be used for the outreach and taking water samples. During EVA1, Dave and Bill will remain inside the habitat and get ready for the educational outreach event scheduled for 10:00.

EVA 2 is scheduled for Bill and Dave at 13:00 and is planned for a max depth of 95 feet for a 120 minutes. Mike and LA will remain in the habitat for the afternoon outreach event also scheduled for 13:00.

Day 12. Oct. 26, 2001, Mission Day 6

After the weekly operational space medicine tag-up meeting, Michel and I met with Dr. Steven Miller to discuss the Aquarius program and some possible CSA applications.

Following the meeting, we rode to the habitat on RV Sabina. Michel was introduced to podding operations as the work crew was busy bringing up to the surface supplies no longer required on Aquarius, as decompression was scheduled to start soon.

The weather was poor with strong winds and thundershowers. It was time for Rod (U.S. Navy doctor) and me to dive to the habitat for medical checks on the aquanauts prior to the beginning of decompression. They were all feeling good and were looking forward to resurfacing tomorrow morning. (They really enjoyed the cake we sent down a day earlier.)

After 40 minutes with the aquanauts who were anxious to share their experience with us, it was time to go back topside. The weather had improved and the seas were fairly calm. The ride back to shore was pleasant.

After helping unload the Sabina, it was time for Michel and me to catch up on our e-mail. We expect the aquanauts back to shore around 09:00 tomorrow. They will have to stay in very close proximity to NURC for 24 hours and will not be allowed to fly home until Monday morning, 48 hours after resurfacing.

Day 13, Oct. 27, 2001, Mission Day 7

This is it. The decompression went without a hitch. The Sabina and WildCard are at the site. At 08:25, two divers splashed down for the habitat. Their role will be to accompany the aquanauts back to the surface. After the decompression was completed and just before the aquanauts left the habitat, the pressure inside Aquarius was brought back to depth. The aquanauts will only use mask, fins and bailout bottles fitted with regulators. The ascent is planned to take two and a half minutes. As soon as the aquanauts and habitat crew have boarded the WildCard, they will be returning to shore.

They arrived at the Research Center at 09:30 and were met by Dr. Steven Miller, Michel Vachon, Monica, and myself. Mark Reagan had to leave yesterday to be with his family. It was quite windy, colder and much less humid than the previous two weeks. The aquanauts were obviously cold yet it did not stop them from standing at the docks, sharing their experience. Fresh coffee had been brewed for them and they were all anxious to have a cup.

We sat around the kitchen counter at the condo and talked about their experience, some lessons learned, and the vision we had about the use of Aquarius for training and team building. Everyone was pleased with this expedition and all agreed that this was a successful mission; what we have learned with this mission will greatly help future Aquarius expeditions.

The aquanauts are restricted to the Condo for 12 hours unless accompanied by NURC staff or myself. After long, hot showers, we all went to Mrs. Mac's to eat. After lunch, I moved out of the condo to the Marina del Mar to give the aquanauts more room (much needed, after one week in a very confined environment.

There is a get-together scheduled for the evening with the NURC staff when diplomas will be issued and farewells exchanged. This is the last time I will see the aquanauts, as I am leaving Key Largo at 08:30 tomorrow.

This was a great adventure and I only hope that many others will be able to experience it. Perhaps one day I will be lucky enough to live as an Aquanaut for seven days underwater.

Living in extreme environments (space, Aquarius, polar stations) changes a person; you really learn what you are made of, and how well you relate to others and the environment. On another level, those who have been lucky enough to have lived and observed Earth from outer space and from under the seas all express wonder about how truly beautiful, yet fragile, Earth really is. So far, it has been through these dedicated astronauts and aquanauts that I have experienced outer space and the underwater world and, so, I hope that this journal succeeds in giving you a sense of how exciting the Aquarius expedition really was.

Exploration has always been a call for humanity and the next step in human evolution is just around the corner: beyond low-Earth orbit exploration missions. I think that Aquarius will help us get there.