r/theydidthemath • u/Fizzerolli • 3d ago

[request] Assuming fresh powdery snow, how deep would it have to be for the paratrooper to survive, if possible?

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My son sent me this. My immediate thought based on nothing is that it’s unsurvivable regardless of the depth.

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u/HAL9001-96 2d ago

so you just stay where you are and hope i t doesn't collapse?

we're talking about very soft powdered snow, anything stronger and you die on impact already

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u/twillie96 2d ago

It's soft powdered, you'll just dig your way up.

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u/HAL9001-96 2d ago

up through what?

it will be like climbing air

getting it out of the way or moving it isn't the problem

trying to stand on it will be

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u/twillie96 2d ago

Compact it beneath you and get up