Aquanaut

An aquanaut is a person who conducts underwater exploration or research while living underwater for an extended period, typically inside a submerged habitat with life-support systems that provide air, temperature control, and waste management. The term is most closely associated with mid-20th century programs in which scientists and technicians stayed on the seabed for days to weeks to study marine life, test equipment, and investigate human physiology under pressure.

History and development: The aquanaut concept arose from underwater habitat programs in the 1960s, notably Jacques Cousteau’s Conshelf series and the U.S. Navy’s SEALAB projects, as well as the later Tektite program. Participants lived on the seafloor in pressurized or semi-pressurized habitats, conducting experiments and routine activities while divers worked underwater and returned periodically to the surface for decompression and resupply.

Habitat, equipment, and operations: Aquanauts reside in underwater habitats that are connected to the surface by air, power, and data lines, or operate with self-contained life-support systems. Work on the sea floor is performed using mixed-gas diving, submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, and hand tools. Shifts are arranged to manage gas exchange, temperature, and decompression needs, with careful monitoring to avoid hazards such as decompression sickness.

Training and safety: Becoming an aquanaut requires specialized training in diving safety, hyperbaric physiology, underwater navigation, emergency procedures, and marine science. Medical screening, rigorous safety protocols, and contingency planning are essential due to risks including pressure-related injuries, hypoxia, and equipment failures.

Legacy: Underwater habitats broadened understanding of long-duration life support, human physiology, and marine science. The aquanaut concept remains a historical cornerstone of underwater exploration and is sometimes referenced in contemporary research and media.