Friday, June 11, 2010

Back in the Day; The Buoyant Ascent. Submarine Escape Training New London, Conn 1964 and now.



Well Sir, I was just over at a feller Submarine bloggers place, "Vigilis" at "Molten Eagle", and upon read'n his post about how today's modern Navy "Bubbleheads" escape from a disabled and downed Submarine, I was reminded that back in May of 2006, right after I first began bloggin, I had posted an article regarding a personal adventure of mine doing what is called "The Buoyant Ascent".

Thought y'all might just enjoy read'n it if'n ya ain't already done so....


The Buoyant Ascent, Submarine Escape Training Tower in New London, Conn..



A few days back...for nostalgic reasons...I posted an article about one of my duty stations while in the Navy...an article about the USS Piper SS409. This brought back some other fond memories of those days back in 64 and 65...so...what the hell...here's an article about a once in a lifetime experience(hopefully)...The Buoyant Ascent.

For oh so many years, this tower at the US Naval Submarine Base was the defining motif of the Groton, Conn. skyline. Any old "Bubbleheads" (fer all you land-lubbers that's slang fer Submariners) who were stationed at New London/Groton during the 40's, 50' and 60's and 70's, I'm sure y'all most certainly remember this landmark.

This is were we learned the rudiments of escape from a disabled sunken "Boat". For many of us...this 125 foot tall(if memory serves me correctly) old lady also helped many of us to achieve new self confidence and courage...and a sort of "right of passage" from Sub School student to, an almost Submariner.

This was generally one of the first sites that greeted us as our "boats" cruised up the Thames River returning home from a patrol...and the last site to see as we went down river to begin a new adventure.

If you went to the Base Exchange to buy some sort of souvenir (Post Card, coffee mug, T-Shirt, hat...) for the folks and friends back home...more likely as not it had this image on it. Oddly enough...it took me two full days of "Googling" to find this old photo...and that was by accident (naturally).

So...to all you lubbers and people unfamiliar with Submarine School and the types of training...what's so special about this "water tank"? Well Sir....this is where one did what is called The Buoyant Ascent"....a Submarine escape procedure.

A "buoyant ascent" is when a person surfaces from a depth of 50 or 75 feet underwater using ONLY the air in his/her lungs....no breathing apparatus. Here's how it works.....

Dressed in just our Navy issued swim trunks, we would proceed to the top of the tower where we were greeted by a site that looked something similar to this.....



Once you became familiarized with your surroundings and instructed for the 10th time on just what to do and what not to do...you descended (via the stairs on the outside of the tower) to an "pressurized Escape trunk" 50 foot under the surface.......



















...much like this one...but without the safety apparatus these men are wearing.....

Once in the 50 foot "escape trunk" with your instructor, the outer hatch was closed and you received your last set of safety instructions. The escape trunk was then filled with water just a little over your chin (if you were 5'11" tall) and the hatch to the inside of the tank was opened....and now........"It's Show Time".....


You ducked through the hatchway into the tank and you were now 50 feet below the surface, where you were then greeted by Navy divers who, for safety reasons...would accompany you to the surface...



Once outside the Escape trunk...one would first notice a large "No Smoking" sign just above the hatchway...don't laugh out loud...it could be fatal.

The Submariner would then grab a bar on the side of the tank, arch his back so he was looking straight up through 50 feet of water above him...and then let go....the ascent had started. The air in your lungs would carry you to the surface.

Now Sir....here's the catch! If you held your breath...your lungs would explode somewhere between there and the surface...not a pleasant prospect...so to avoid this most uncomfortable condition...you had to EXHALE air all the way to the surface...a trip that took about 8 seconds. This was also the reason for the Navy safety diver...if you stopped exhaling...he would punch you in the diaphragm to expel air...if you exhaled too much...he would give you an air hose.



If all went well...and you did exactly as instructed...you arrived at the surface with a renewed sense of self confidence and one real great adrenalin high......

Now Sir...it was mandatory for all prospective submariners to perform the buoyant ascent from the 50 feet level...and optional from the 75 feet level. Myself, the buddy I joined the Navy with, and three other men opted to do it from 75 feet...a trip, that if I recall correctly, took about 14 seconds (remember...exhaling ALL the way). WOW...what another great rush that was....

I just thought old Cookie would share that nostalgic adventure with y'all...after all...what's an adventure in'f cain't tell no one about it.....take care and may God Bless everyone......
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Now Sir, I guess this is the new way of escaping from a downed Sub. You'll notice that nowadays these bubbleheads use a contained suit fer escape'n, WUSSIES!! We did it with NUTHIN!! Just bustin balls mates. With the depths today's boats cruise at, and usually in Arctic waters ya gotta have a suit like these.

This video takes you from inside the pressurized escape trunk as it fills with water, to your ride buoyant ascent to the surface. Pretty good video.

NOTE: Although the sound is lost briefly and then returns, you'll hear the man yelling all the way to the surface. It's NOT because he's scared (although it could be), but remember, you MUST exhale all the way up or your lungs will EXPLODE!

Clicky de Linky to watch!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815813330?bctid=71702888001

Thursday, June 10, 2010

End of the week Frivolities and tunes!. Grab a cuppa Joe & Turn Up Yur Sound Mates.

Well Sir, as most of y'all know and read, Cookie cooked up some Lamb Chops on the BBQ last Sunday, and they came out great! So, be'n in a cook'n mood, I decided to cook up some Filet Mignon's last Monday afternoon, BUT, sumthin happened that completely ruined both my wife's appetite and mine.

Now Sir, y'all gotta remember that Cookie lives in rural, Upstate New York, in an area some folks might even call "Redneck" territory.

Sooo, when my good neighbor Clem's wife, Betty-Unis-Beauregard-Barbra-Angela (or BUBBA fer short) , decided that because it was so warm outside that she was a gonna do some BBQ cook'n also, and just as I was come'n outta the house to start the BBQ I happened to look over at their yard and.... well, you'll understand why we lost our appetites!!

Photobucket HUGE NUDITY AHEAD!!







Oh well, Cookie needed t'lose some weight anyhow...
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Hmmm, I gotta feel'n that was my wife on the other end....


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...and I think this might even be "Bubba's" brother. DUELING BANJO'S


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...and here be some Patsy Cline fer y'all. **Sigh**, this lady was taken frum us WAAAY too soon.

"Crazy"


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...and we gotta have some Jerry Reed and "The Tupelo Mississippi Flash"


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...and somemore Jerry Reed, "East Bound and Down"


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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

A man with excellent common sense and judgement! and a Patsy Cline favorite.

Cookie's gonna get serious fer a minute or two. PLEASE, PLEASE watch this first video! What this man says is something that Cookie has believed for many years and I could not agree more with everything he states. I couldn't have said it any better myself!

Several folks, Dave Brown frum Oswego, NY, and Susan Gertson frum Texas, perhaps knowing that this is what I believe and think, sent me this recently. It is about 9 minutes long, and if'n you love yur country like I do, watch and listen (and especially LISTEN) to the veracity in his statements. It's well worth the 9 minutes!!!



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BTW, several polls are confirming an anti-incumbent tide!

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38268.html

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Now Sir, on a lighter note, here be a song and singer that I've always enjoyed. Patsy Cline, "The Wayward Wind."



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BTW, have'n been in a Stearman once or twice, this tends to happen... when you apply too much pressure to the toe brakes to soon after landing.

"Bi-Plane flips on landing in Washington."



NOW, the view frum the cockpit!!

"Ding Dong The Witch is Gone!" What BP is really think'n, and "Sproingo- ED Treatment"




Now Sir, I'm sure there's probably not too many of y'all out there that ain't seen this Helen Thomas video already, but, if'n ya ain't, here be what all the fuss is about!

Cookie, Mrs. Cookie and family have several Israeli and Jewish friends and family, and, WE STAND WITH ISRAEL!

Bill O'Reilly once intimated that she looked like "The wicked Witch of the West". In this man's book, how right he was!

Her resignation from the White House Press Corps is very appropriate. How can she ever report anything regarding Jews or Israel in an unbiased manner?? Unfortunately, many in the "Yellow Stream Media" think much like her!




GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH!!
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BP gives an explanation and their rationale......



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Cookie tried like hell to find an html code fer this next one so's I could post it, but sadly couldn't, so I had to post the below link instead.

I KNOW Y'all will get a big kick outta this one that "Charlie The Cop" sent us.


"Sproingo" ED Treatment! (Adult Content)

BTW men, if'n y'all got hear'n problem this may not help YOU that much, but it will help yur partner know when "the time is right!"!

http://www.toilette-humor.com/funny_videos/sproingo/index.shtml
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In yesterday's post I mentioned an old TV program frum the late 60's, early 70's, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. If'n you used to watch it, here be some great "quickies". If'n ya never saw it cause yur too young, watch & learn!


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A second Tuesday post! Learned sumthin new t'day frum an Old Marine.

I think most of you will enjoy this short video, and maybe learn what I just learned. There is a SECOND verse to our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Actually, I hate to admit it, but as Dick Martin (of Rowan & Martin-"Laugh-In) used to say "I didn't know that?"

BTW, notice all the bad ass look'n, Nazi, domestic terrorists (as defined by Janet Napolitano, Pelosi and others) at this event. Scary!!

This old Gyrene is really VERY GOOD!! Wunder if'n "The Chief" can sing like this??




This video was sent me by both Susan Gertson frum Texas and "fish" frum down Kentucky way. Thanks mates!!
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Monday, June 07, 2010

Tuesday TidBits....

Damn! Never thought of this tactic!


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Hmmm, some Chinese manufactured foods. Just might be sumthin "Lost in Translation".



Begone I Say!!
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Not to be confused with Hetero Sausage...
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Ahhh, so THATS where SARS came frum!
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Ahh, are ya sure thats what its fer???
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Probably better than stale cok.
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Look out Viagra!!
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Damn! I didn't know they could be bottled!

Gotta Thank my old buddy frum Oswego, NY, Davey Brown fer send'n me those...


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Well Sir, both these next two items were sent to us by "Chicago Charlie", who always likes to remain "anonymous".


SEMPER FI Mates

The Military Quote of the Day.



"When I joined the military it was illegal to be homosexual,

then it became optional.

I'm getting out before Obama makes it mandatory."


GySgt Harry Berres, USMC

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Some thought regard'n Marriage. BTW, that "Anonymous" feller has some good ones!

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.

David Bissonette
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After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together.

Sacha Guitry
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By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy.

If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

Socrates
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Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.

Anonymous
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The great question... which I have not been able to answer... is, 'What does a woman want?

Dumas
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I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.

Sigmund Freud
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'Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.'

Anonymous
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'There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage.'

Sam Kinison
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'I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me, and the second one didn't.'

James Holt McGavra
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Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.

Patrick Murra
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The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once....

Nash
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You know what I did before I married? Anything I wanted to.

Anonymous
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My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.

Henny Youngman
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A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.

Rodney Dangerfield
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A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted'.

Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing:

'You can have mine.'

Anonymous
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First Guy (proudly): 'My wife's an angel!'
Second Guy: 'You're lucky, mine's still alive.'

Anonymous
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Sunday, June 06, 2010

Monday PotPourri

I been a think'n of goin on down to the Gulf coast to help out...

Like most, the Gulf oil leak has me very concerned and upset regarding the welfare of the folks living along the coast and the native wildlife and fauna of the region affected by this all to avoidable tragedy.

Now Sir, Cookie's not a "tree hugger" by any means, but, like most folks, this is the world I have to live in so I feel it is my obligation, nay, duty to make a pilgrimage to this devastated area and lend a hand in cleaning up the poor native wildlife that have befallen the ravages of the spill.

Here be just one example of one of these pitifull creatures...





Photobucket
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Just ask the Native Americans what and where unchecked immigration leads to...
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Snow White and the Seven...ah... You fill in the blank.




If'n I still had my old bike, I'd definately get me one a these saddle seats....