Diving in Dense Liquids: Understanding the Risks and Dangers

[SpringPhysics]

I apologize if this topic should go elsewhere: this is not a homework question, but is a general question arising from reading about it in a book.

Why is it dangerous to dive into high-density liquids (such as the Dead Sea) from, for example, a cruiser? Does the liquid, due to it's high density, exert enough buoyant force that you could be seriously injured?

 

[pallidin]

The human body is relatively fragile with respect to impacts. We do not have an exoskeleton.
Even if we did, serious trauma to vital internal organs can result.
If you recall the Princess Di accident, for example, one or more arteries from her heart were ripped away due soley to the forces involved during impact.

With regards to the Dead Sea, I don't know. Technique in diving is key.

 

[graphene]

The buoyant force exerted by the liquid onto any object is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced. If the same object is immersed in different liquids, though it would displace the same volume, the weight of the liquid displaced would depend on the liquid's density. So if you dive into denser liquid, the buoyant force would be higher.

 

[Galap]

Also, more viscous liquids would be more dangerous than less viscous ones. Diving into higher viscosity liquids becomes more and more like diving into a solid, as the liquid takes longer to be pushed out of the way by your impact.