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.

[pa___ul3]

I think the greatest risk would be of pervy 'going down' jokes!
I don't think it's for us to speculate as the health concerns are something that should be decided by experts, the other two are individual lyfestyle choices that could be managed quite easily.

[Zeuhl]

Presumably the officers in command know what they're doing. Many key navy roles are now fulfilled by females. I don't believe there is any 'equal opportunities' lobby in the navy that is strong enough to overturn real practical obstacles against commanders' better judgement.

They are already extremely picky about submariner selection and all submariners serve accepting t&c's that are extra-ordinary.

[ummmm]

It takes 3 mins to perform a pregnancy test.

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm

/// It takes 3 mins to perform a pregnancy test.///

What are you saying then, pregnant female sub-mariners would not be allowed to serve on submarines?

[Gromit]

So if a female submariner became pregnant, would that be just her fault?

[ummmm]

I don't know much about submarines but if it's not suitable for pregnant women...then it's not suitable for pregnant women.

[jackthehat]

That is the worry, AOG.
That the carbon dioxide, etc., could have a detrimental effect on the developing foetus.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// So if a female submariner became pregnant, would that be just her fault? ///

Who said that?

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm

/// I don't know much about submarines but if it's not suitable for pregnant women...then it's not suitable for pregnant women.///

????????????????????????????????

Can you be a great deal more explicit, please?

[ummmm]

Errr why?

/// 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. ///

Then give them a pregnancy test...

[anotheoldgit]

jackthehat

According to the report, there isn't any problem with the carbon dioxide level.

/// Recent research by the Institute of Naval Medicine concluded that these risks were unfounded and there were no medical reasons for maintaining the ban.///

[Gromit]

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.

Why is this any different?

[Gromit]

Sorry,


then surely there are procedures in place to put them ashore.

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm Thank you, but as I have said before, are you saying that a pregnant sub-mariner should not be allowed on board?

[Zeuhl]

<<What are you saying then, pregnant female sub-mariners would not be allowed to serve on submarines? >>

Yes

Exactly in the same way as a male submariner isn't allowed to sail if they have a 'health condition' or indeed if a close family member is seriously ill and it is judged that their mental state might be affected whilst out of contact (communications home are censored to omit upsetting news)

[jackthehat]

No, historically there were concerns that the environment on a submarine could be detrimental to the development of the unborn foetus. This seems to have been, largely, dismissed now by the medical profession.

[EDDIE51]

They might not be pregnant when they get on but I bet a few are pregnant when they get off , you know what sailors are !