[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Escape from a K250 at 200 ft



Maximum recommended safe descent rate for scuba varies depending on the certifying agency but fall between 70 and 80 fpm. Faster than that aggravates nitrogen narcosis. It can also cause joint pain and HPNS.

 

Another danger escaping from a sub could be shivering uncontrollably in cold water. It happened to me once when I was diving with the FD and it’s something that doesn’t seem dangerous but is when you literally lose all muscle control. A thick wet suit top would probably be a good take along item in cold water.

 

 

 

Greg Cottrell

Project Manager

 

 

greg@precisionplastics.com

http://www.precisionplastics.com

 

P please consider the environment before printing this email


From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Jon Wallace
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 12:40 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Escape from a K250 at 200 ft

 


Hugh Fulton created a "flooding" spreadsheet calculator back in early May of this year.  I just checked it and the results for a K-250 type sub at 200 feet with one 2-inch flood valve comes out to total flood in 50 seconds.  With one 1-inch valve that time is slowed to 200 seconds, and with a 3/4 inch valve the time is 355 seconds.

I didn't have time to post the spreadsheet before the convention but will get to it this week.

Jon



On 8/24/2010 4:06 AM, Alan James wrote:

Hi all,

I've put some facts & figures together re flooding a K250 at 200 ft.

Firstly, sorry I move between metric & imperial. I was brought up on

imperial then N.Z. moved to metric. The metric system is great for these

soughts of calculations.

The first assumption is that the hull & hatch area displaces 1,100 liters.

The hatch 100 liters & the hull 1000 liters.

The flow figures through a 2" pipe come from table 2 on this link. It was the best I could find.

These figures are approximations as the flow rate changes all the time. Also I'm not

taking into account how many or how fat the occupants are.

To fill to half way with the 2" valve at 100 psi the water will be coming in at 384 gallons per minute.

It will fill the 550 liters (132 gallons) in about 20 seconds. The air in the hull will be compressed

to half its size & will be an equivalent pressure (14.7 psi) as at 33 ft.

To fill the hull from 1/2 to 2/3 the flow pressure will be between 85 psi & 70 psi. About 340 gpm.

The volume to be filled is 183 liters ( 48 gallons ).This will take 8 &1/2 seconds. In terms of internal

pressure you have just gone from 14.7 to 29.2 psi wich is the same as diving from 33 ft to 66 ft in

8&1/2 seconds.

To fill the hull to 3/4 the pressure will be from 70 to 55 psi about 300 gpm.

The volume to be filled is 92 liters ( 24 gallons ). This will take about 5 seconds. Again this is

equivalent to going down another 33 ft. to 99 ft.

Am being kicked off the computer for the night so will leave it there.

But that is flooding so fast, I'd want to have my hand on the valve as at that rate you'd blow

your ear drums for sure. It's best to equalize your ears before they start feeling pain & in this

instance you can't reverse the pressure like while diving, by ascending.

These figures are open for correction.

Regards Alan