Talks to Watch

Delta P

9.6M views · Oct 18, 2010 · 11:29 · 0 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2016–2024

A short video illustrating the hazard of pressure differentials (delta P) in commercial diving, where a pressure difference creates enormous force on a diver. It is a safety-oriented look at diving accidents.

Why Hacker News points people here: Shared as nightmare fuel in threads on diving and underwater work to show how deadly pressure differentials are.

“Pressure differentials are a constant threat in commercial diving operations.”HN comment, 2018

What Hacker News said 4

Cites ittoomuchtodoNov 2016

“Help yourself to some Delta P nightmare fuel”

Illustrates danger of pressure differences underwater

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I've helped float a 70ft steel wreck off of the Caribbean Sea floor using second hand airbags that cost no more than a few thousand dollars (EDIT: You'll want to spend a bit more if this isn't just for fun). Physics is awesome, and the only cost is your time and the materials. Also, if you were only interested in the most valuable materials on the vessel that are accessible without entering a confined space, you'd just need a scuba rig (very low barrier to entry). I would definitely not attempt extensive disassembly underwater. Far more dangerous than floating the vessel and breaking it on shore, dry dock, low tide. EDIT: I thought I'd add why its not safe underwater. Help yourself to some Delta P nightmare fuel: this video (also confined spaces, unstable underwater structures, etc)

in “Mystery over Dutch WW2 shipwrecks vanished from Java Sea bed” · view on HN
Cites itjosefxApr 2017

“It is the pressure difference that results on a large force on any unlucky diver.”

Video on large forces from pressure difference on divers

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Here an actuall video on the topic: this video . It is the pressure difference that results on a large force on any unlucky diver.

in “Nuclear plant shutdowns tied to coal pollution, decreased birth weights” · view on HN
Cites itjdietrichMay 2018

“Pressure differentials are a constant threat in commercial diving operations.”

Example of pressure differential accidents in diving

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Similar accidents happen in the water. Pressure differentials are a constant threat in commercial diving operations. this video

in “The Weird, Dangerous, Isolated Life of the Saturation Diver” · view on HN
Cites itmisswaterfairyMay 2024

“Delta-P is not to be messed with.”

Warns of pressure differential danger

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This guy is incredibly lucky. I hope that council worker was taken to task over it. Delta-P is not to be messed with. this video

in “Sucked feet first down the tube (2010)” · view on HN