It's not only for escape, it's for NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) warfare protection in and around the vehicle. And please remember, 'escape' is only a part of the issue for tank crews. They also use these for attachment of chains for vehicle recovery in river fordings, etc.
I'd like to find one, just for the tiny twinset.
Can you imagine a swimming armored vehicle? BMP-3, etc... Not me baby. In fact *any* armored vehicle is "not for me baby". I sat in a ZSU-23 in the sandbox once (driven by a little old Iraqi Lady, with only 25 KM on the odometer), and it scared the piss outta me. If there was an A-10 anywhere within 100 miles I'd have been outta there.... <really>.
Read this:
Indonesia: Six marines drown as amphibious tank sinks
I would have my friggin rebreather on and pre-breathed before I went into anything heavy and steel in the water.... **** that.
Dave
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