How to Poop on a Nuclear Submarine – Smarter Every Day 256

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The lesson provides an engaging overview of daily life aboard a nuclear submarine, highlighting unique traditions and practices that contribute to crew morale and well-being. From playing cribbage as a bonding activity to enjoying special meals like waffles and ice cream for breakfast, the article illustrates how submariners create a sense of community and comfort in their confined environment. Additionally, it touches on practical aspects such as medical care, showering, and bathroom procedures, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and safety in submarine life.

Life on a Nuclear Submarine: An Inside Look

Welcome to an exciting exploration of life on a nuclear submarine! This article is inspired by a fascinating series that takes us deep under the Arctic ice aboard the USS Toledo. We’ve already learned about sonar, torpedoes, and how submarines make air, food, and water. Now, let’s dive into some unique aspects of daily life on a submarine that you might not have thought about.

Playing Cribbage: A Submarine Tradition

One of the most popular games on a submarine is cribbage. It’s a card game that uses a board with pegs to keep score, making it perfect for a moving ship. Cribbage is a long-standing Navy tradition, and many submariners enjoy playing it to pass the time and relax. Although not everyone is a cribbage expert, it’s a fun way to bond with fellow crew members.

Boosting Morale with Mustaches

Keeping morale high is important on a submarine, and one fun way to do that is by encouraging mustaches! The yeoman, who handles administrative tasks like pay and correspondence, plays a key role in maintaining crew morale. Even while submerged, the crew stays connected with their pay through direct deposit, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Sleeping and Eating on a Submarine

Sleeping arrangements on a submarine can vary, with visitors sometimes getting special accommodations. Meals are an important part of life on board, and breakfast can be quite special. Imagine starting your day with waffles and ice cream! It’s a delicious treat that adds a bit of joy to the daily routine.

Medical Care and Emergencies

Submarines have medical facilities to handle patient care, often in the ward room. While they can manage some emergencies, they rely on antibiotics for conditions like appendicitis. The goal is to stabilize patients until they can reach proper medical facilities.

Showering and Bathroom Procedures

Showers on a submarine are designed to use as little water as possible, typically lasting three to five minutes. When it comes to using the bathroom, submarines use pressurized seawater for flushing. There are specific procedures to ensure everything works correctly, highlighting the importance of following the rules for safety and efficiency.

Conclusion

This glimpse into life on a nuclear submarine shows just how unique and interesting it can be. From playing cribbage to enjoying ice cream for breakfast, submariners have their own ways of making life under the sea enjoyable. Stay tuned for the next part of the series, where we’ll witness the incredible process of surfacing the submarine through Arctic ice. Until then, keep exploring and learning!

  1. How do you think the tradition of playing cribbage on submarines contributes to the sense of community among the crew?
  2. In what ways do you believe the practice of growing mustaches could impact morale on a submarine?
  3. Reflect on the unique sleeping and eating arrangements described in the article. How do you think these aspects affect the daily life and well-being of submariners?
  4. Considering the limited medical facilities on a submarine, how do you think the crew prepares for potential medical emergencies?
  5. What are your thoughts on the water conservation measures, such as short showers, implemented on submarines? How might these practices influence daily routines?
  6. How do you think the use of pressurized seawater for flushing toilets impacts the design and operation of submarine bathroom facilities?
  7. Reflect on the role of the yeoman in maintaining crew morale. Why do you think administrative tasks are crucial in such an environment?
  8. What aspects of submarine life described in the article surprised you the most, and why?
  1. Cribbage Tournament

    Gather your classmates and organize a cribbage tournament. Learn the rules of this traditional submarine card game and compete in teams. This will help you understand how submariners bond and relax during their downtime.

  2. Morale-Boosting Campaign

    Create a campaign to boost morale in your class, inspired by the mustache tradition on submarines. Design posters or plan activities that encourage positivity and teamwork, just like the yeoman does on a submarine.

  3. Submarine Meal Planning

    Plan a submarine-themed breakfast menu for your family or class. Include unique items like waffles and ice cream, and discuss why such meals might be special for submariners. This will give you insight into the importance of meals in maintaining morale.

  4. Emergency Medical Role-Play

    Role-play a medical emergency scenario on a submarine. Assign roles such as the medic and patient, and discuss how submariners handle medical situations with limited resources. This activity will help you appreciate the challenges of providing medical care in confined spaces.

  5. Water Conservation Challenge

    Challenge yourself to take a three to five-minute shower, similar to those on a submarine. Discuss the importance of water conservation and how submariners manage resources efficiently. Reflect on how these practices can be applied in everyday life.

Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:

– Hey, it’s me, Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. If you’re just joining this nuclear submarine deep dive series, I have a treat for you. We have covered a lot of topics that happen on board nuclear submarines. We looked at sonar, torpedoes, how to make air, food, water, and the command structure. This has been a fascinating series on board the USS Toledo as it participates in ICEX in the Arctic. We’re under the ice in the nuclear submarine. It’s incredible.

So today’s video is the next to last in the series. We’re going to conclude the series by surfacing through the ice, which is fascinating and far more complicated than I could have imagined. I wanted to create a video to cover all the things that didn’t really have another place. So today on Smarter Every Day, we’re going to discuss various aspects of life on board a nuclear submarine that you might not think to ask about until you find yourself on one.

To get started, I want to show you a game that I learned on board. It’s called cribbage. I saw it in the crew’s mess, in the ward room, and in the chief’s quarters. This is a game that involves cards and a clever arrangement of numbers and pegs to keep track of your score. If you were looking closely during the sonar video, you could see a scoreboard of sorts between the captain and the executive officer. That’s how important cribbage is on a submarine.

– [Submariner] It’s a game you can play on a ship that’s moving around.
– [Destin] Oh, really? That’s why it’s a Navy tradition?
– [Naval Officer] Yes, because of the pegs; if the boat’s moving, it doesn’t matter.

So, in all sailing ships, they drill holes in the wood and put the pegs in, and that’s how they play it. It’s a way to pass the time and relax.

– [Destin] So, most submariners know how to play cribbage?
– [Submariner] Most of us do, but not all.
– [Destin] Who’s the best?
– [Submariner] He claims to be, but he actually just lost a game.

– [Destin] How long does it take to play one game?
– [Submariner] About 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how good your hands are.

Some people take longer because they struggle with counting.

– [Destin] Where are you from?
– [Submariner] South Carolina.

– [Destin] Oh, I see.

I also learned about the importance of morale on the submarine. One interesting aspect is that mustaches are encouraged to boost morale. There’s a special position on the boat called the yeoman, who is in charge of all the administration, including pay issues and ensuring everything is accounted for.

– [Destin] So how do you handle pay while underwater?
– [Yeoman] We handle instructions and correspondence while submerged. Most of our work is done when we return to port.

– [Destin] So it’s all direct deposit back home?
– [Yeoman] Yes, that’s correct.

I also wanted to understand what sleeping on a submarine is like. I was quite tired during my visit, but I learned that sleeping arrangements can vary. Visitors often get special accommodations, and I was fortunate to stay in the executive officer’s cabin.

– [Destin] What’s breakfast like on board?
– [XO] We have a special breakfast today with waffles and ice cream.

I had never considered ice cream on waffles, but it was incredible!

I also learned about the medical facilities on board. Most patient care happens in the ward room, and while they can handle some emergencies, they often rely on antibiotics for conditions like appendicitis.

– [Destin] How do you deal with medical emergencies?
– [Medical Submariner] We manage with what we have, and we try to stabilize patients until we can get them to proper medical facilities.

Showers are another important aspect of life on a submarine. The XO explained that showers are designed to minimize water usage, and typically last about three to five minutes.

– [Destin] How do you go to the bathroom on a nuclear submarine?
– [XO] We use pressurized seawater for flushing. There are specific procedures to follow to ensure everything works correctly.

I also learned about the various manuals and procedures that are essential for operating the submarine safely.

This episode of Smarter Every Day is sponsored by Raycon earbuds. They offer great sound quality at a reasonable price, and I highly recommend them.

Thank you for watching the submarine deep dive series here on Smarter Every Day. In the next episode, we will conclude by surfacing the ship from under the Arctic ice, which is a significant event. Feel free to subscribe if you’re interested. I’m Destin, and I hope you’re getting smarter every day. Have a great day!

This version removes any informal language, inappropriate comments, and maintains a professional tone throughout.

SubmarineA vessel that can travel underwater, often used for scientific research or military purposes. – The scientists used a submarine to explore the deep ocean and study marine life.

SonarA technology that uses sound waves to detect and locate objects underwater. – The research team used sonar to map the ocean floor and identify underwater features.

TorpedoesUnderwater missiles used by submarines or ships to target other vessels. – The naval exercise included the simulation of launching torpedoes to practice defense strategies.

MoraleThe confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a group, especially in challenging situations. – The crew’s morale was high after successfully completing the scientific mission.

MedicalRelating to the science of medicine or the treatment of illness and injuries. – The submarine was equipped with a medical kit to handle any health issues during the expedition.

EmergenciesUnexpected and often dangerous situations requiring immediate action. – The crew practiced drills to prepare for emergencies such as fires or equipment failures.

ProceduresEstablished methods or steps followed to accomplish a task or solve a problem. – The team followed strict safety procedures when conducting experiments on the submarine.

IceFrozen water, often found in polar regions or as a hazard for ships and submarines. – The submarine navigated carefully to avoid the thick ice in the Arctic waters.

CrewA group of people who work together on a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft. – The submarine’s crew worked in shifts to ensure the vessel operated smoothly around the clock.

BreakfastThe first meal of the day, important for providing energy and nutrients. – The crew gathered in the mess hall for breakfast before starting their daily tasks on the submarine.

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