Monday, August 18, 2008

Got a minute?

How long could you survive in the vacuum of space?

The site says:
In the first 30 seconds any fluid on the surface of your body would begin to boil due to lack of ambient pressure, this includes the saliva on your tongue and the moisture in your eyes. Your eardrums would most likely burst due to the pressure in your body trying to equalize with the vacuum outside. Unlike what some science fiction films have suggested, your body would not explode.

After the first 15 seconds you would lose consciousness. If you held your breath you could potentially stay alive longer but you risk pulmonary trauma. If you didn't hold your breath you'd pass out sooner, but your lungs might have a better chance of avoiding permanent damage.

The pressure in your veins would rise until your heart no longer had the capacity to pump blood, at which point you'd die.


So I'd only be conscious during the first 15 seconds of my last 65 seconds of life. I think I'll stay on board the space ship, thank-you-very-much.


HT: Bad Astronomy Blog

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