Halloween Mystery Questions 10/31/2011: Test Your Submarine Knowledge

Claustrophobia (Background)
Fear of inability to escape closed spaces. An acute, debilitating anxiety disorder leading to panic attack marked / brought on by occupancy of crowded elevators, small, windowless rooms, entrapment situations, enclosed spaces with limited/stagnant air supply, etc.

Submarine candidates traditionally undergo a variety of tests to assure persons with potential panic attack disorders are disqualified from submarine consideration. Symptoms of panic disorders include sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, trembling, light-headedness or fainting, nausea, and feelings of dread, terror, or panic.

Outward signs of claustrophobia may include these giveaways: Standing near an exit in crowded venues; compulsively looking for exits or becoming anxious when doors (or hatches) are shut; avoiding elevators, or subway, airplane, or auto transportation (in heavy traffic).


QUESTIONS of the WEEK:

1. The average MRI examination requires almost 50 minutes, more than enough time for extreme fear and anxiety to set in among claustrophobic patients. About what percentage of patients (range __ to __ %) refuse to undergo MRI scans due to claustrophobic anxiety?

2. What percentage of the world population in general is estimated to be affected by severe claustrophobia (range __ to __ %)?

3. Is there any difference in the frequency of claustrophobia between male and female populations?

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Now, take a look at this 980-feet deep, inverted-pyramid shaped, subterranean building proposed for crowded Mexico City. Of its 65 underground stories, the first 10 will be for a museum, the next lower 10 leased for homes and tourist shops, and the lowest 35 for offices. Some of us may instinctively wish to avoid the smallest spaces near the narrow, deepest end of this future attraction until certain engineering questions have been satisfied.

4. How does the temperature gradient of the Earthscraper compare to that of a submarine at a depth 980-f00t depth? In the event that mechanical ventilation in the Earthscraper fails, would the natural temperature at the deepest be cooler or hotter than on the top floor of the structure at midnight?

5. What two types of catastrophic hazards connected with such an inverted building are most likely to be anticipated and safeguarded against by its architects?


ANSWERS: Monday, 7 Nov 2011.

Submarines are always silent and strange.