Women to serve on submarines.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....istory-tradition.html

Is this a step too far in the quest for equal opportunities?

/// There were concerns that higher levels of carbon dioxide in the on-board atmosphere pose particular risks to female health ///

/// The Navy argued in the past that they could be pregnant when they go to sea, putting them and their unborn child in grave danger in case of complications such as an ectopic pregnancy, or forcing a commander to return home and abandon a secret mission. ///

Surely a pregnant woman can also suffer complications, without the now unsupported risk of the high levels of carbon dioxide, what then?

There is also the problem of separating male and female privacy facilities in the cramped conditions of a submarine.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah ha ! Rumpy pumpy under the waves. It's almost worth applying to be a submariner now then

[ummmm]

As Zeuhl said...she should not be allowed to board.

[anotheoldgit]

Zeuhl

Right so the female should be subjected to the indignity of foregoing a pregnancy test before she goes on-board?

[sunny-dave]

Whatever happened to Rum, Sodomy and The Lash ...?

[Old_Geezer]

You can still indulge surely. Except you have to buy your own rum and hide it from the officers. ;-)

[Hazel104]

Yes, rather that than the indignity of not being allowed to serve on submarines purely because she is female.

[Zeuhl]

<<Right so the female should be subjected to the indignity of foregoing a pregnancy test before she goes on-board? >>

All submariners undergo an extensive physical before sailing.

If one is taking a crew underwater for several months with no way of off-loading casualties short of abandoning the mission then one is very careful not to take people with problems 'brewing'

This is no different

[WAZZARD]

I don't know how they are going to avoid 'touching' each other in those cramped quarters !

[Zeuhl]

BTW Old Git

I assumed you meant 'undergoing' not <<foregoing>>

[ummmm]

Yes, Where's the indignity in taking a pregnancy test? It's sticking a stick in a wee sample.

[anotheoldgit]

/// If a submariner got a condition while at sea that threatened their health or the ship, then surely there are procedures in place to ashore.///

The Navy argued in the past that they could be pregnant when they go to sea, putting them and their unborn child in grave danger in case of complications such as an ectopic pregnancy, or forcing a commander to return home and abandon a secret mission.

A modern nuclear sub can remain submerged beneath the surface of the ocean and travel silently underwater for months.

Why take the chance of abandoning a secret mission?

[anotheoldgit]

jackthehat

Isn't it just that what I have already pointed out to you?

[Zeuhl]

<<Why take the chance of abandoning a secret mission?>>

They won't! That's the point.

They can check in the Physical all submariners will have where they check levels in blood and urine anyway

[Gromit]

But they are women. They can badly mishape a knitted Jumper.

[sp1814]

If a woman is willing to give up her life in defence of mine, then I am going to suggest that she is given the opportunity to perform ANY damn job in the services that she wants to do and it's not for us to patronise of judge.

[anotheoldgit]

Zeuhl

Sine you are such a stickler for the correct terminology, please see to it that you use my correct username in future.

[Zeuhl]

<<Sine you are such a stickler for the correct terminology, please see to it that you use my correct username in future.>>

Oooooh. Handbags!

Sorry you are upset

But isn't old git part of your chosen user name?