Our riders got to do all the cool stuff >:( , it looks like it will be part of training in sub school, I wonder if an old overweight sub vet could try it, it looks like an "E" ride ;D .
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=d1b9005b-2e88-4c5c-97a5-50727087680f
Yeah, those things are pretty neat. I tried one out while I was in Groton. Makes you feel like you are in a bubble almost. It reminded me of the suits that you see people wear in lvl 4 biohazard areas at the CDC. The thing has a little inflatable "dingy" to go with it. Leaps and bounds ahead of the old/current Steinke hoods.
Former shipmate of mine went to England to test them out in an actual dive tower. He took a ride up from 30 meters. Said it was the scariest fun he has ever had.
Ya we got those my last year on the boat. Really neat. I think it make surviving an escape from a sunken sub slightly more possible than before.
Justin