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B U L L E V A R D<br />
3 4<br />
Ocean Space<br />
Habitat<br />
1<br />
SLEEPING WITH<br />
THE FISHES<br />
This ocean explorer has made it<br />
possible to sleep underwater –<br />
by creating a subaquatic tent<br />
2<br />
5<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> inflatable<br />
habitat is attached<br />
to bridles anchored<br />
to the sea floor<br />
2. Interior atmosphere<br />
is maintained by a<br />
replenishable oxygen<br />
source with carbondioxide<br />
extractors<br />
3. A dry chamber<br />
accommodates two<br />
divers in comfort,<br />
three at a push<br />
4. <strong>The</strong> fabric-embedded<br />
vinyl shell is reinforced<br />
with nylon straps and<br />
has windows<br />
5. <strong>The</strong> entire habitat<br />
collapses down to<br />
luggage size for<br />
transportation<br />
H umans have always<br />
daydreamed about living in<br />
the ocean; from stories of<br />
mermaids to the lost city<br />
of Atlantis, the deep sea<br />
occupies a vivid place in<br />
our imagination. Now, an<br />
underwater tent that allows<br />
us to breathe, eat and sleep<br />
hundreds of metres below<br />
the surface is bringing that<br />
fantasy closer to reality.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concept behind the<br />
Ocean Space Habitat is pretty<br />
simple: made from vinyl<br />
and nylon with polyester<br />
strapping, it has internal aircirculating<br />
fans and carbondioxide<br />
scrubbers to provide<br />
a breathable atmosphere for<br />
up to six hours. “It’s much like<br />
placing an inverted glass in<br />
a sink to make an air pocket,”<br />
says its co-creator, ocean<br />
scientist Michael Lombardi.<br />
“It’s essentially a tent filled<br />
with air that displaces the<br />
water inside, creating a void.”<br />
We currently accomplish<br />
very limited and temporary<br />
visits to the undersea world.<br />
Compare the knowledge we<br />
have of the ocean bed with<br />
the exploration of outer space:<br />
whereas 12 humans have<br />
stepped onto the surface of<br />
the Moon, only three have<br />
descended to the deepest part<br />
of the ocean. “For more than<br />
half a century, divers have<br />
gone by the rule that we can<br />
dive to 60ft [18m] for 60<br />
minutes without suffering<br />
from decompression sickness.<br />
Bring an underwater habitat<br />
into the mix, however, and<br />
a researcher can spend six<br />
hours or more working at 60ft<br />
throughout the day.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> next step for the camp<br />
is to attempt overnight trips.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> atmosphere has to be<br />
monitored and managed<br />
for both carbon dioxide<br />
and oxygen,” says Lombardi.<br />
“Our goal over the next year<br />
is to develop protocols that<br />
allow for an overnight stay.<br />
An afternoon hike is always<br />
beneficial to learning, but an<br />
overnight or weekend-long<br />
camping trip sheds light on<br />
all sorts of new discoveries<br />
within that environment.<br />
My hope is that we can stray<br />
away from being short-time<br />
visitors to the ocean towards<br />
having a more intertwined<br />
relationship with and within<br />
the sea.”<br />
Atlantis may only be<br />
a fantasy, but this two-man<br />
tent is our first step to a<br />
genuine undersea life.<br />
oceanopportunity.com<br />
MICHAEL LOMBARDI LOU BOYD CHRISTINA LOCK<br />
20 THE RED BULLETIN
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