What pressures can a human survive in?

  • Thread starter zeromodz
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Human
In summary, Earth's surface pressure is 101.325 kilopascals and the record for diving is about 500m, or 50 atmospheres. The limit for survival is not the pressure itself, but the chemical effects of gases at high pressures, with oxygen becoming toxic above about 3 atmospheres. A person could survive in a pure oxygen environment at 0.16 atmospheres or around 16 kilopascals.
  • #1
zeromodz
246
0
I know that Earth has a surface pressure of 101.325 kilopascals. So right now we are all under this pressure, but what types of pressures will we start to die at? high and low pressures in pascals please. Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Record for diving is about 500m, or 50 atmospheres = 5MPa
The limit isn't the pressure as such, the pressure inside is the same as outside - it's the chemical effects of gases at very high pressures, oxygen for example is toxic above about 3atm.

Oxygen is about 21% of air, and you can live with about 16% oxygen, so you would be able to survive a pure oxygen environment at 0.16atm or around 16KPa.
 

Related to What pressures can a human survive in?

1. What is the highest pressure a human can survive in?

The highest pressure a human can survive in is approximately 1,100 times atmospheric pressure, which is equivalent to about 16,000 feet (4,877 meters) below sea level. This pressure is typically found in deep-sea diving environments.

2. Can humans survive in outer space?

Humans cannot survive in the vacuum of outer space. The lack of atmospheric pressure would cause the body fluids to boil and the lungs to rupture. However, with proper protective gear and a pressurized environment, humans can survive in space.

3. What happens to the human body at high pressures?

At high pressures, the gases in the body (such as nitrogen and oxygen) can become compressed and cause a condition called nitrogen narcosis. This can lead to confusion, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. Additionally, high pressures can also cause damage to the eardrums and other tissues in the body.

4. Can a human survive in the Mariana Trench?

The Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the ocean, with pressures reaching over 1,000 times atmospheric pressure. It is highly unlikely that a human could survive in these extreme conditions without specialized equipment. However, some deep-sea creatures have adapted to survive in these high pressure environments.

5. How do submarines protect against high pressures?

Submarines are designed with thick, strong hulls that can withstand the high pressures of deep-sea environments. They also have systems in place to regulate the internal pressure to match the external pressure, preventing the hull from collapsing. Additionally, the air inside the submarine is continuously circulated and filtered to remove excess carbon dioxide and replenish oxygen levels.

Similar threads

  • Mechanics
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
830
Replies
26
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Mechanics
Replies
32
Views
943
Replies
32
Views
3K
Replies
27
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
10
Views
1K
Back
Top