Brazilian SRS (Sino de Resgate Submarino) is a Submarine Rescue Bell projected and constructed in Brazil. It is based on a saturation diving bell with a rescue seat added. It is operated from Navio de Socorro Submarino Felinto Perry (NSSFP), a Submarine Rescue Ship whose mission is basicaly to help staff and to save personnel from a disabled submarine, and also to support activities of deep diving.

Features of the NSSFP includes Dynamic Positioning System and a diving bell/ hyperbaric complex for saturated divings up to 300m, the limit on its submarine rescue capability. People rescued from a pressurized DISSUB can be treated in the onboard hyperbaric complex, although it's not yet possible to conduct a Transfer Under Pressure (TUP). If needed, they can also be treated in the rear deck hyperbaric chamber.

Figure 1: The NSSFP in dinamic positioning, launching the SRS.

Figure 2: SRS.

Figure 3: Views of the NSSFP hyperbaric complex.

The Brazilian navy has a number of hyperbaric chambers distributed along the shore, which can be used in support of Submarine Escape and Rescue operations. 5 of those chambers are placed in naval hospitals, and a huge hyperbaric center is located at the Brazilian Submarine Base in Rio de Janeiro. This hyperbaric complex is able to test equipment at great depths, simulate saturated diving and treat large numbers of people suffering from diving disorders at a time. The Brazilian Navy has the only Diving School in Brazil capable of training Deep Divers. These courses are conducted at the Hyperbaric Center. In addition to forming Saturated Divers and Deep Sea Diving Supervisors for the Brazilian and friendly Navies, it also receives civilian diving students that will be assigned to work in the oil industry after completing the course.

Figure 4: Map of the Brazilian shore showing hyperbaric chambers placed at Naval Hospitals.

Additional resources in the field of Submarine Escape and Rescue include an escape training facility composed by a 20m deep escape tower, also located at the Brazilian Submarine Base in Rio de Janeiro.

Figure 6,7,8,9: Escape training at Brazilian Escape Tower.

Figure 10: Different views of the Brazilian Navy's hyperbaric complex.