The stories behind Keep the Vital Signs Alive

• The Real Rule Behind Keep the Vital Signs Alive: Ten Seconds — This shipboard sea shanty about backup power during a storm is built around an actual, strict hospital standard for how fast the lights have to come back.

Lyrics

oh check the gauges oh check the gauges brace the

sway the shipboard biome is on watch today

salt air cuts through the engine room door the vessel

climbs and crashes once more in a cramped workshop.

Beneath the spray I test every circuit before we sail away.

Who keeps the monitors steady and bright?

The ship board biome through the long black night

Who checks the pumps when the wild waves pound?

We keep that healing gear sound!

Pull lads, pull, let the hard deck roll

Spare parts ready and a steady soul

If the storm comes roaring and the lamps burn low

We keep the vital signs alive below

Hey, ooh, hey, oh

The whole crew knows

Reliable hands keep the lifeline close

Careful inspections by Lantern

Glow Every connector seated in rows

A loose little lead can turn troubles steep

So I trace each fault while the night watch sleeps

Read the pressure, read it twice

Test the alarm, make it precise

When the seed grows spray across the floor

We seal the case and inspect once more

Pull lads pull, let the hard deck roll

Spare parts ready and a steady soul

If the storm comes roaring and the lamps burn low, we keep the vital signs

alive below. Hey -oh, hey -oh, the whole crew knows

Reliable hands keep the lifeline close

Hey, backup power humming behind the wall

Ready to answer the midnight call

Batteries charged and the transfer clean

No darkened screen, we're a patient scene

Copper and fuses, valves and wire

Label each bundle, test the spare

The crew depends on the gear we mend

From the first small check to the voyage's end

When the bow lifts high, we hold the line

When the breakers roar,

the instruments shine Through salt and thunder, deck by deck

We guard the care the crew protects

Pull, lads, pull, let the hard deck roll

Spare parts ready and a steady soul

If the storm comes roaring and the lamps burn low

We keep the vital signs alive below

Hey, ooh, hey -oh, let the whole ship sing

Careful hands make the healing ring

Hey, ooh, hey -oh, from bow to stern

Reliable gear is the watch we turn

Oh, check the gauges, brace the sway

The shipboard biome is on watch today

Salt in the air and a course to steer

The crew sails stronger when the tools are clear