Yesterday was a very busy day for the crew as they started out with an early dive around the habitat. By 10:00 a.m., they were back in the habitat and beginning their preparation for their return to the surface. This was an especially busy time for the them as they were required to fill out various questionnaires, perform habitat science, pack up their gear and spend time communicating with their families via a Private Family Conference or PFC. However, they did find time last night to watch a movie... the " Abyss" what else?

We thought some of you may be interested in the decompression process itself. Last night was a very critical time in that at about 4:00 PM yesterday the aquanauts started the in-water decompression process. Since the crew has been aboard the habitat, they have been exposed to the increased pressure at the depth they have been living in. At that depth, which is about 47 feet, their bodies have taken on excess amounts of nitrogen which has been absorbed in their body tissues and must be "washed out". In order to return to the surface, they will have to go thru a 16 hour process called " decompression". This is a very safe procedure which is accomplished in several steps: 1) The crew breathes pure oxygen for 3 short intervals to help increase the oxygen in their blood and " wash out" nitrogen 2) the main living quarters are " locked out" from the "wet porch" area and the internal pressure is slowly brought to the surface pressure by exhausting the internal air to the surface ( 14 hours) and finally , 3) the habitat is " blown down" to the 47 foot level in just two minutes.. the hatch is opened and the crew swims to the surface.