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
If the sub folds like u/thisusedyet is talking about, then you die instantly.
Worse case scenario is that a window cracks or a seal fails first. Then you have a high pressure stream of water that slowly and inevitably fills the space. You’re all sharing a smaller and smaller air pocket, getting to higher and higher pressures. You won’t crush fast enough to save you from drowning.
Of course, as it floods, other systems are affected.
1. If the scrubbers go out, you might suffocate on your own CO2 first.
2. If the O2 supply goes out, you’ll just pass out as the oxygen is consumed. That might take a while though because as the pressure is rising, so is the partial pressure of oxygen, so you don’t need as high a percentage.
3. IF you last long enough (and scrubbers and O2 are still active), the pocket is compressed enough that nitrogen narcosis sets in, which would be a blessing. Later, oxygen toxicity hits you. You have a terminal seizure and drown, but you’re probably not conscious for it. That depends on if tho O2 system is concentration-based or partial pressure based. I think most are PP based, so this is unlikely.
4. If it’s slow enough, hypothermia from the cold water is a serious possibility. Average life expectancy when unprotected in 4°C water is about 50 minutes.
Latest Answers