Survival systems can protect people from various hazards and can come in many varieties. For instance, there is the bathysphere, the pressure hull of an aircraft, humidicrib, iron lung etc. A general architecture and set of considerations apply to all survival systems. Survival systems typically have at least two subsystems – Firstly, an enclosure called a fuselage, hull, space suit or membrane, skin, shell etc. which protects the occupant(s) against a range of hazards. The membrane can consist of two or more layers (components) and has at least two functions, to retain and repel (keep in and to keep out). To pass through the membrane there is a double door (portal) which, for instance, will equalise pressure and temperature by alternately changing from the interior environment to the exterior environment, that is change the milieu (content) of the portal. A portal is often called an airlock, or, when it has a docking port, is called a docking compartment. Secondly, inside that enclosure there will be a Life Support System (LSS) to maintain the conditions suitable for human organic life, such as the supply of oxygen, an appropriate temperature, the removal of carbon dioxide, supply of water and food, processing waste, sanitation etc.

SURVIVAL SYSTEMS