I approach these sub sims differently than other games, I save periodically at sea 'only' because in rare cases it may crash to desktop. But never before or during a battle or being chased, etc.
As others say, dead is dead, I always start a new career, never 'do over' and I accept the consequences of a patrol, if I don't see much, that's ok. If I damage something and it doesn't sink, that's ok too... Without that fear that a bad decision may prove your death, there wouldn't be much fun in it for me.
Just trying to 'keep it real'.
