Trapped in a 22ft submersible with oxygen running out – this is the terrifying situation that the crew of the Titanic submersible may be facing. The exact whereabouts of the submersible and the condition of the five crew members onboard are unknown. If the vessel is still intact, it is estimated that it may have just a few hours of oxygen remaining, creating a race against time to find the sub before it is too late.
However, there is some hope that the crew members could survive longer than expected. Dr. Ken LeDez, a hyperbaric medicine expert at Memorial University in St John’s, Newfoundland, has stated that depending on conditions, some of those aboard could survive longer by conserving oxygen and heat. Shivering uses up a lot of oxygen, while huddling together can help conserve heat. Dr. LeDez explains that running out of oxygen is a gradual process, comparing it to climbing a mountain where the speed of ascent depends on the temperature and metabolism.
While the full situation inside the submersible is unknown, Dr. LeDez suggests that conditions could vary from person to person, meaning that some crew members may have a better chance of survival than others. Rear Admiral John Mauger from the US Coast Guard has also highlighted the unknowns in the search and rescue mission, including the rate of oxygen consumption per occupant on the sub.
Running out of oxygen is not the only danger the crew faces. The loss of electrical power in the vessel could affect the control of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside. As the oxygen level falls, the proportion of carbon dioxide being breathed out by the crew will rise, potentially leading to fatal consequences. Carbon dioxide can become sedative and act like an anesthetic gas, causing individuals to fall asleep. Hypercapnia, the presence of too much carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, can be fatal if not treated.
Former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsey has expressed concern about the lack of a carbon dioxide removal system, known as scrubbers, in the submersible. This poses a significant problem as the crew members are at risk of hypothermia, with water temperatures around 0C if the sub is on the seabed and has lost electricity. However, Dr. LeDez suggests that hypothermia could also be their friend, as cooling down enough and losing consciousness could increase their chances of survival.
Despite the challenges, the crew may be able to conserve their supplies for a while. Slowing their breathing and reducing power use, if electricity is still available, could help. The Coast Guard has mentioned that the crew has some limited rations of food and water on board, although the exact amount is unknown.
Dr. LeDez urges against canceling the search-and-rescue operation too soon, as there is a possibility that the crew could still be alive even with very low oxygen levels. He believes that if anyone can survive in this situation, it is these individuals, as long as they have power and light to find things and make necessary controls.
The search for the Titanic submersible continues, with hopes of finding the crew members alive.
What are the potential factors that could affect the crew members’ chances of survival inside the Titanic submersible?
Uncertainty surrounding the condition of the crew members and the whereabouts of the submersible. He emphasized the need for a rapid and coordinated search effort to locate the vessel as soon as possible.
The Titanic submersible, a 22ft underwater vehicle, has become a potential death trap for its five crew members as their oxygen supply dwindles. With no information on their location, time is running out, with only a few hours left before the oxygen runs out entirely.
However, there is a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Dr. Ken LeDez, an expert in hyperbaric medicine from Memorial University, suggests that the crew members might be able to survive longer than anticipated. By conserving oxygen and heat, they could extend their lives. Shivering, which consumes a significant amount of oxygen, can be minimized, while huddling together would help preserve heat. Dr. LeDez compared the oxygen depletion process to climbing a mountain, where the ascent speed depends on factors like temperature and metabolism.
Although the interior conditions of the submersible remain unknown, Dr. LeDez proposes that each crew member’s chances of survival could vary. Rear Admiral John Mauger from the US Coast Guard echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the need for a swift and well-coordinated search operation to locate the submersible and its crew before it’s too late.
