As a matter of fact, there are airliner-style life vests as well as miniature rebreathers stowed on board. However they did not demonstrate the equipment. I reckon that underwater evacuation of 48 people (of all ages & degrees of fitness) through 2 hatches would be "problematic" to say the least!
About claustrophobia, the funny thing was that with everyone so engrossed in staring out the view ports, it was easy to ignore our total lack of mobility for an hour or so.