Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Byford Dolphin Incident
Jan 22, 2020
In 1983, a devastating incident during a saturation diving operation claimed the lives of four divers, revealing shocking safety failures. The podcast dives into the complexities of saturation diving and contrasts its perilous reality with Hollywood portrayals. It discusses the critical moments leading to the fatal accident, emphasizing how equipment failures played a pivotal role. With a focus on disaster preparedness, the conversation sheds light on the importance of adhering to stringent safety protocols in deep-sea operations.
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Byford Dolphin Incident
- Four divers died in a decompression accident on the Byford Dolphin drilling rig in 1983.
- One diver's remains were ejected through a narrow gap due to the rapid pressure change.
Saturation Diving Explained
- Saturation diving allows divers to live in a pressurized environment, eliminating daily decompression.
- Divers travel and live in pressurized chambers on the ship and a diving bell.
The Fatal Mistake
- A dive tender prematurely unclamped the diving bell before the hatch was closed.
- This caused a catastrophic pressure change, killing the divers instantly.