Flare Sci-Fi Forums: Don't Hold Your Breath!

This is topic Don't Hold Your Breath! in forum Officers' Lounge at Flare Sci-Fi Forums.

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Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=741

Somehow, I'm not surprised to find out that virtually every sci-fi sequence involving vacuum has been completely debunked. The Hitchhiker's Guide, for example. (In fact, holding your breath actually almost guarantees death!) Even the paragon of "realistic" sci-fi, 2001, is discredited. About the only shows that got it close to right were Firefly and Galactica. Farscape *kinda* got it right, except for the timing (unless you make the case that the scene was in super-slow-mo).

The most interesting part? You don't freeze in a vacuum, because heat doesn't leave your body very quickly without air or water to act as a transfer mechanism.

Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :

quote:
For about ten full seconds� a long time to be loitering in space without protection� an average human would be rather uncomfortable, but they would still have their wits about them. Depending on the nature of the decompression, this may give a victim sufficient time to take measures to save their own life.

Just enough time to kiss your ass goodbye.

Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :

quote:
The first effect is the expansion of gases within the lungs and digestive tract due to the reduction of external pressure.

The first part I could guess, but the second part about the digestive tract I hadn't thought about! Could make for an interesting scene in a realistic movie... [Big Grin]

Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :

...and further provided him the means to propel himself back into the airlock...

Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :

Well I'm gonna be experimenting with my vacuum cleaner tonight!

Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Jason Abbadon:
Just enough time to kiss your ass goodbye.

Provided of course, that your boss WAS right at hand to receive said kiss.

Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :

B.J.:

quote:
The first part I could guess, but the second part about the digestive tract I hadn't thought about! Could make for an interesting scene in a realistic movie...

You mean like this?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=u4i4Gwl_Ns0

Begins after 1:10, do watch.
For the record (and the faint of heart), it's a clip from "Man behind the sun", the movie about unit 731, the biological experiments facility located in japanese-occupied China during WW2.

[ November 28, 2006, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Nim ]

Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :

dang. There is not a level of Hell deep enough for someone like that.

Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :

Ouchies.