eli5: when a submarine exceeds its crush depth, and it’s crew is killed, what actually happens to them? Do they die instantly or are they squished flat? What happens ?
In: 293
It depends on how the sub fails. If it remains completely water tight until the structure fails then the walls of the sub collapse until the air pressure inside the sub equals the water pressure outside the sub. The occupants would either be crushed by the collapsing hull or the sudden spike in air pressure.
The sub likely would not remain water tight after the collapse and eventually the whole thing would flood.
If a seal, window or hatch fails before the structure does and water starts rushing in, then the air pressure would start to rise quickly. The occupants would either succumb to the immense pressure or drown.
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