Submarine Captain Reveals What Life Is Really Like Under The Sea

1. The atmosphere inside the submarine is regulated.

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The atmosphere inside a submarine is regularly monitored and very controlled. Thanks to advanced technology, there are processes in place to replenish oxygen just as quickly as it’s consumed by crew members on the submarine. Underwater, oxygen is produced by putting ocean saltwater through a process of electrolysis.

2. The temperature inside the submarine is regulated.

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If you think about it, submarines are similar to airplanes. The only difference is that airplanes are in the sky and submarines are under the ocean! Now, it might be easier to imagine that submarines have technologies to keep the temperature controlled and regulated.

3. Crew members often have to share sleeping quarters.

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Submarines are very small, and there generally aren't enough bunks for each crew member to have their own. So, what do they do? Two to three people usually share one bunk and sleep in shifts. Crew members call this “hot racking” because the bunk is warm when you arrive for your dedicated rest.

4. Crew members can experience a disrupted sleep pattern.

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Because there’s no natural light onboard, crew members often experience a disrupted sleep pattern. Since studies have found that people function best when they follow their sleep rhythm, this can be extremely tough on crew members who don’t see the sun for months at a time.

5. Submarines are equipped with specialized toilets.

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Toilets on submarines are not like regular flush toilets in your home. On a submarine, pressurized ocean saltwater is used to flush the toilets. Once it’s flushed, you have to manually a valve fill the bowl back up. Eventually, the waste is ejected into the ocean. Yup, you heard that right!

6. The food on submarines is specially packaged.

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On a submarine, food has to be specially packaged and processed in order to withstand long periods of time without refrigeration. Four meals are generally served each day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight rations. The food actually doesn't look too bad!

7. Crew members have to take short showers.

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When you live on a submarine, it’s important to conserve fresh water. Because of this, crew members have to take quick showers. These showers consist of turning the water on for a few seconds, turning it off while the crew member washes their body, and rinsing off quickly afterwards.

8. Crew members have to undergo psychological evaluations.

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Because life on a submarine can be very isolating and mentally taxing, crew members have to undergo psychological evaluations before they deploy. It takes a very specific kind of person to withstand that kind of environment for weeks or months on end.

9. The crew members develop a strong sense of camaraderie.

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Crew members on a submarine spend the majority of their time together. Since the submarine is so small, the only privacy they get is when they’re sleeping in their bunk or in the head (bathroom). Because of this, they typically develop a strong sense of camaraderie.

10. Submarines often have limited communication with the outside world.

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Submarine crew members have very limited communication with friends and family in the outside world. In addition, the only method of communication they have is email, and sometimes that’s not available. If you can’t stand to be away from your phone, submarine life probably isn’t for you!

11. The lower amount of oxygen in the submarine can mess with your body.

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The oxygen levels on submarines have to be kept low for safety reasons. This can result in some side effects for the crew members onboard. For example, it’s more difficult for your body to heal in an environment with low oxygen. So, cuts and scrapes will take longer to heal.

12. Most submarines have a small gym for exercise.

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Being stuck on a submarine for weeks or months can make even the most well-adjusted crew member stir crazy. Because of this, each submarine has a small gym for crew members to exercise and relieve stress and frustration. This also helps keep the crew in shape.

13. Most of your free time is spent in the mess hall.

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Because there’s very little room on a submarine, crew members generally hang out in the mess hall (the dining area). This communal area usually has a few big TVs, a large DVD library, and even some board games to serve as fun and entertainment for those onboard.

14. Grooming rules for facial hair is a little more relaxed.

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You might know that the U.S. Navy has very strict rules regarding both hair and facial hair. However, on a submarine, the rules are more relaxed. This is because the crew members are stuck underwater for weeks or months at a time, so it’s not required to shave every single day.

15. You’re typically out to sea for 3 to 6 months.

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Submarine deployments are serious commitments. Every tour is different, but you can generally expect to be out in the ocean for 3 to 6 months. Sometimes there are port visits in between, but the submarine is often underwater for very long stretches.

16. You have to share space with destructive weapons.

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The living quarters on a submarine might be small and cozy, but for some, sleeping next to weapons of mass destruction can be a little eerie. Submarines usually house missiles, torpedos, and other deadly weapons that can be used during wartime.

17. It’s easy to lose track of time because there’s no outside light.

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Submarines do not receive any kind of natural light from the sun or the moon. Because of this, it can be difficult to lose track of time while you’re underwater. Fortunately, crew members keep to a tight schedule to give them some semblance of a normal routine.

18. You learn to be a heavy sleeper.

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When you live on a submarine, you have to learn how to sleep through almost anything. But at the same time, you have to be able to wake up easily and right on cue. It’s a unique art that only those who live on submarines can genuinely say they’ve mastered!

19. The days can get pretty boring.

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When you’re on a submarine tour, no news is good news. This means that boring, tedious days are desired by most onboard. If there’s a lot of action and excitement happening, that probably means danger is imminent. And that is definitely not a good thing!

20. Stealing is grounds for immediate dismissal.

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Submarines take stealing very seriously. Trust is essential when you’re living in extremely close quarters with other crew members. Thieves are generally kicked off the sub at the next port. So, if you want to successfully complete your submarine tour, you better not steal!

21. Receiving a “Dolphin Pin” is the highest honor.

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Offers have to work diligently to be awarded the “Dolphin Pin”. They have to study and memorize how the submarine works and how to efficiently use the vessel as a weapon. Then, they have to pass a test to prove the depth of their knowledge. The hard-earned badge is a serious source of pride.

22. There aren’t many bathrooms onboard, and they’re very small.

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Submarines are small and have limited space. There’s only room for a limited number of toilets, and they’re all very small and cramped. In some cases, there’s only one or two bathrooms for 40 or more men! This might turn a lot of people off from the idea of submarine life.

23. You can only bring a few of your personal belongings onboard.

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Crew members can only bring a few personal items onboard, mainly because the space they’re given is so small, and it’s often shared with other people. Because of this, it’s imperative to pack light, and bring only the essentials. One or two small personal items is usually okay.

24. Training for submarine life is extremely rigorous.

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Not just anyone can work on a submarine. It take desire, drive, dedication, and rigorous training. And training doesn’t happen overnight! Sailors usually spend several months in classes, studying hard and preparing for submarine life and the job they’ll take on.

25. Leaks need to be dealt with quickly.

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Since submarines are submerged underwater, even the smallest of leaks need to be dealt with immediately and quickly. When the submarine first goes down, the entire vessel is immediately checked for leaks, and anything that arises is repaired as quickly as possible.

26. Showers are very small.

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Just like toilets, submarine showers are very small and cramped. This might not bode well for those who are tall! Really, everything on a submarine is small. Hallways, stairwells, bunks, toilets, showers, and more. Bending, ducking, and dodging is the name of the game on a sub!

27. Someone is always on watch, and watch duty rotates.

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Crew members regularly rotate who’s on watch and when. When you’re on watch, you might have to stay up all night and remain alert for anything alarming. It’s important to stay awake and focused during this time. The amount of responsibility you have depends on your rank.

28. Crew members pass the time with board games.

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We mentioned previously that crew members often play board games in the mess hall to pass the time. When you’re stuck in a metal tube under the ocean, you have to get creative in order to stay sane. Board games, card games, and books are great methods of distraction.

29. Slamming doors is prohibited onboard.

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Submarine crew members don’t get a ton of sleep, which is why it’s important that doors aren’t slammed at all hours of the day and night. Some submarines have curtains instead of doors, just to prevent unnecessary noise. If you slam a door, you’ll likely get chewed out.

30. Washing your clothes is difficult.

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Even if there’s a large crew, there’s sometimes only one washing machine and one dryer on a submarine. And like everything else on a submarine, they’re usually very small! Because of this, you may only be able to wash and dry a few articles of clothing at one time.