Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be completely isolated and not know what was going on in the world around you? Well, let me tell you, it is really difficult.

I found this out when I joined the Navy and I was assigned to a submarine.

We would spend weeks under the water and not know anything about what was going on outside. This life is difficult and can really mess with your head. I am used to being able to go outside, sit in the sun, or at least know if it is raining or not. Being confided underwater means that you are completely dependent upon the heating, cooling and ventilation system for your very existence. This closed loop system is very specialized because they need to introduce the proper amount of oxygen and filter out the carbon dioxide in order to make the air safe to breathe. It is weird because when we do surface and go topside for the first time you actually miss the controlled air. You start to notice all the smells that are around you when you are out in the world. You can actually smell the rain long before it starts. Having perfectly cleaned air that is controlled by a very specific HVAC system really makes a huge difference. I am assigned to the sub for the next three years and after that I will be on shore duty. I will probably have a hard time adjusting back to living in a house and dealing with the weather each day. I may find myself wishing for my fully controlled environment again.

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