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Aboard ships, the bathrooms are called
"heads." This name dates to the days of sailing ships, when the
bathroom facilities consisted of an open hole at the head or bow of the
ship. The toilet was positioned at the front of the ship because ships
generally sailed with the wind from behind. Thus, any bad odors were
carried away from the ship and not toward the ship. The name
"head" remains.
Heads may be large or small. Heads in junior enlisted berthing spaces
might have 6 sinks, 6 toilets, and 6 showers to accommodate up to fifty
people. Heads for the Chief Petty Officers and Officers might be smaller,
with two sinks, two toilets and two showers, to accommodate fewer people.
There are some rules:
- Always clean up after yourself.
- Don't waste water. At sea, when fresh water supplies are always
limited, conserve water by showering in a specific manner. Start by
rinsing yourself, and then turn off the water. Soap up and shampoo.
Then turn the water back on, just long enough to rinse. 60 seconds of
water use (total water use, including initial and final rinse) is
probably too much.
- Tampons and sanitary napkins do not get flushed...they are placed in
the appropriate receptacles in the heads.
- Don't leave clothing lying around.
- Don't leave soap, soap dishes, or shampoo lying around.
- Wear sandals or clogs.
- Dress appropriately when traveling between the head and your
sleeping spaces.
Source:
Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C., 20372-5300
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