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>> Narrator: ON THIS EPISODE OF
"MYTHBUSTERS," IT'S A SHOCKING
STATE OF AFFAIRS.
ADAM AND JAMIE HAVE A MYTHBUSTER
MELTDOWN...
>> I'M JUST EXPRESSING MY
OPINION, AND I'M NOT GIVING YOU
[BLEEP] ABOUT YOUR OPINION.
>> Narrator: ...AND FIND
THEMSELVES IN OVER THEIR HEADS
TO MAKE KILLER QUICKSAND.
>> IF THE PUMP STOPS DURING THE
EXPERIMENT, WE COULD DIE 'CAUSE
WE'LL BE ENCASED IN 20,000
POUNDS OF SAND.
>> Narrator: AND SEE WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN TATTOOS AND
TECHNOLOGY MEET.
CAN BODY ART GO BOOM?
WHO ARE THE MYTHBUSTERS?
>> AM I MISSING AN EYEBROW?
>> Narrator: ADAM SAVAGE...
>> I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND
SUBSTITUTE MY OWN.
>> Narrator: ...AND
JAMIE HYNEMAN.
>> QUACK, DAMN YOU.
>> I WOULDN'T SAY JAMIE'S AN
EVIL GENIUS.
>> Narrator: BETWEEN THEM, MORE
THAN 30 YEARS' SPECIAL EFFECTS
EXPERIENCE.
>> WHEN WILL THE FUN EVER STOP?
>> Narrator: THEY DON'T JUST
TELL THE MYTHS, THEY PUT THEM TO
THE TEST.
FEW THINGS ARE MORE SHOCKING
THAN ADAM IN A BATHROBE,
BUT THE FIRST MYTH GETS CLOSE.
>> WHAT'S WITH THE BATHROBE?
>> WELL, JAMIE, THIS TIME, WE'RE
ATTACKING ONE OF THE CLASSIC
HOLLYWOOD MOVIE MYTHS, WHICH IS
SIMPLY IF YOU THREW AN
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE INTO MY
BATH, I'D GET ELECTROCUTED.
>> RIGHT, WELL, THAT MEANS
APPLIANCES -- OUR FAVORITE
HAUNTS.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> LET'S GO.
>> OKAY.
>> [ SCREAMING ]
>> Narrator: AS ADAM SAID, THIS
GRISLY DEATH IS A FAVORITE WITH
FILMMAKERS.
TAKE "CHUCKIE" FOR EXAMPLE.
OUR DEMONIC DOLL GIVES THE
BATHING BEAUTY A BATH-TIME BUZZ.
>> LOTS OF APPLIANCES.
AND I SEE SOME GROUND FAULT
INTERRUPTERS ON THEM.
>> SO, THERE'S A RULE HERE ABOUT
THESE?
>> THRIFT TOWN CANNOT SELL HAIR
DRYERS WITHOUT GFI SWITCHES FOR
SAFETY PURPOSES, WHICH MEANS,
YOU KNOW, IF THESE ARE DROPPED
INTO A BATHTUB, THEY WOULD TURN
OFF.
>> IMMEDIATELY.
>> IMMEDIATELY, YES.
>> Narrator: A GROUND FAULT
INTERRUPTER DETECTS ANY SUDDEN
CHANGE IN THE FLOW OF
ELECTRICITY AND IMMEDIATELY
SHUTS OFF THE CURRENT.
>> OLDER APPLIANCES DON'T HAVE
GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTERS, AND
SO THEY'RE POTENTIALLY MORE
DANGEROUS.
SO WE NEED TO GET SOME OF THOSE.
>> HERE'S A RADIO.
THIS WOULD DEFINITELY -- THIS
WOULD DEFINITELY BE NEXT TO YOUR
BATHTUB.
>> WHAT ABOUT THIS?
YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE -- ZZZT!
VERSUS -- ZZZT!
I THINK THIS HAS GOT MORE POWER
TO IT.
>> NAH, I THINK IT'S THIS ONE.
>> WE HAVE A SMALL TV THAT'LL
FIT INTO THE BATHTUB.
>> OH, THAT'S PERFECT.
THAT'S EXACTLY THE TELEVISION WE
NEED.
>> HONEY, I'M HOME! BZZT!
>> Narrator: THE MYTHBUSTERS
HAVE WILDLY DIFFERING IDEAS
ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN
THESE PRELOVED APPLIANCES HIT
THE WATER.
JAMIE'S NEGATIVE.
>> THE ANALOGY THAT I HAVE ABOUT
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WOULD BE
ABOUT, LIKE, LOWERING A LIGHT
BULB INTO THE WATER OF THE
BATHTUB AFTER YOU PUT THE
TOASTER IN AND EXPECTING THE
LIGHT BULB TO LIGHT UP.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO
HAPPEN.
>> Narrator: ADAM'S POSITIVE.
>> HE DOESN'T REALIZE THAT THE
LIVE POWER OF THE A.C. IS GONNA
COME THROUGH ONE LEG.
THE BATHTUB WITH THE DRAINPIPE
IS GONNA GROUND TO EARTH, AND
YOU WILL BE A VERY FABULOUS
CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY IN THAT
SHORT TURN THE ELECTRICITY IS
MAKING FROM THE APPLIANCE TO THE
GROUND.
AND IT WILL KILL YOU VERY
QUICKLY, I BELIEVE.
>> DO I KNOW THAT YOU WON'T GET
ELECTROCUTED?
I'M NOT SO SURE THAT I'M READY
TO JUMP IN THE TUB QUITE YET.
BUT I DON'T THINK SO.
>> TO BE HONEST, IF JAMIE
DOESN'T THINK ANYTHING'S GOING
TO HAPPEN, I HAVE NO PROBLEM
DROPPING A HAIR DRYER IN THE
BATHTUB WHILE HE'S SITTING IN
IT.
BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME HE WON'T.
>> ADAM, WE HAVE ABOUT EVERY
POSSIBLE APPLIANCE YOU COULD
DROP IN A BATH.
AND A FEW MORE. WHAT'S NEXT?
>> I DON'T WANT TO TEST THIS IN
JUST ANY OLD BATHROOM.
I'D LIKE TO ACTUALLY HAVE AN
ISOLATED BATHROOM WHERE WE CAN
GET CLEAN TESTS SAFELY WITH
THIS.
SO I'M THINKING ABOUT HAVING ONE
OF THE TEAMS OF BUILDERS BUILD
US A BATHROOM SET THAT IS, YOU
KNOW, FULLY ISOLATED, INSULATED,
AND WATERPROOF, WITH A GROUNDED
BATHTUB IN IT, AND PERHAPS ABOVE
THAT SOMETHING LIKE A RESETTABLE
COLLAPSING SHELF WHERE WE CAN
PUT THE APPLIANCE ON AND IT CAN
CONTINUALLY FALL INTO THE TUB.
>> Narrator: TORY AND
CHRISTINE, THAT'S YOUR CUE.
THE BOYS NEED A BATHROOM.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO WHAT WE'RE
GONNA DO, WE'RE GONNA TRY TO
RE-CREATE A REAL BATHROOM, AS
CLOSE TO A REAL BATHROOM AS
POSSIBLE, SO I'M GONNA PUT UP
TWO WALLS HERE.
WE'RE GONNA TILE IT.
AND THEN I'M GONNA HAVE A
BATHTUB HERE, A SINK THERE, AND
A TOILET THERE, AND HOPEFULLY
THAT'LL GIVE THEM WHAT THEY
NEED.
>> RENTED IT FOR $10.
AND IT'S DRIPPING ON ME.
GOD KNOWS WHAT'S IN THIS WATER.
>> Narrator: AND THE GLAMOUR
DOESN'T END THERE.
>> OH, YEAH.
ALWAYS GET THE BEST JOBS.
>> Narrator: OF COURSE, THEY'LL
NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH CURRENT IS
FLOWING THROUGH THE WATER.
>> THIS IS AN AMP READER.
THE GROUND IS GONNA GO THROUGH
THAT SO WE CAN READ OUR AMPS.
AND THEN THIS IS GONNA GO ATTACH
TO THE DRAIN OF THE BATHTUB TO
GROUND THE BATHTUB.
>> Narrator: NOW, ACCORDING TO
ADAM, AMPERAGE, NOT VOLTAGE, IS
THE KILLER.
AND THE LETHAL LIMIT -- HE SAYS,
70 MILLIAMPS.
>> PUMP SOMEBODY WITH A MILLION
VOLTS, AND IT'S GONNA HURT THEM,
BUT IF IT'S UNDER 70 MILLIAMPS,
IT'S NOT GONNA KILL THEM.
YOUR AVERAGE STATIC ELECTRICITY
SHOCK THAT YOU CAN FEEL IS 10 TO
30,000 VOLTS.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> Narrator: NOW, THE BASIC IDEA
IS THIS.
THERE'S A BODY IN THE BATH -- IN
THIS CASE, A DUMMY MADE FROM
BALLISTICS GEL.
TWO COPPER PADDLES IN THE
DUMMY'S CHEST REPRESENT THE
HEART.
THE PADDLES ARE WIRED UP TO A
RELAY WHICH WILL TRIP WHEN THE
CURRENT PASSING BETWEEN THEM
HITS 70 MILLIAMPS.
THAT MEANS DEATH.
THE BATHTUB'S INSULATED AND
READY TO GO.
NOW THEY NEED SOMEONE TO GET IN
IT.
>> SO, WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS,
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE A FULL
BALLISTIC-GEL BODY FOR THE
APPLIANCES-IN-THE-BATHTUB MYTH.
AND WE'RE GONNA USE THIS OLD
MOLD THAT JAMIE HAS, WHICH IS A
BEAUTIFUL FIBERGLASS MOLD.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SEAL THIS
PUPPY, BECAUSE BALLISTICS GEL
FILLING ALL THE WAY UP, IF IT
STARTS TO LEAK, WE'RE ABSOLUTELY
SCREWED.
AND WE RAN INTO TROUBLE ON THAT
LAST SEASON.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME, HE'S
TAKING NO CHANCES.
ONCE THE MOLD HAS BEEN WELL
GREASED WITH LARD...
>> JAMIE'S BUILT ENTIRE
SPECIAL-EFFECTS SETS OUT OF
LARD.
>> Narrator: ...IT'S SEALED
TIGHT WITH SILICONE AND ALUMINUM
TAPE.
>> JUST FOR SAFETY SAKE,
DOUBLE -- WE DO IT DOUBLE.
ONCE WE DO THE WHOLE SEAM, GO
BACK AND DO IT AGAIN.
>> OKAY.
>> Narrator: NOW JUST PACK ICE
AROUND THE MOLD.
>> WHOA!
ALL RIGHT, WELL, LET'S START
GETTING OUR BUCKETS AND POURING
AND PRAY TO GOD WE HAVE ENOUGH.
>> Narrator: ...POUR IN THE
LIQUID GEL, AND WAIT FOR THE
DUMMY TO SET.
ADAM'S FEELING JUST A LITTLE
NERVOUS.
>> LET'S GET ON OUR KNEES AND
PRAY.
I DON'T KNOW TO WHOM.
IS THERE A PATRON SAINT OF
BALLISTICS GEL?
>> [ CHUCKLES ] GEEZ.
>> KILLER QUICKSAND.
IS THAT WHY I'M STANDING HERE IN
THIS STUPID PITH HELMET?
>> NO, YOU'RE STANDING THERE IN
A STUPID PITH HELMET BECAUSE
YOU'RE AN IDIOT.
THE MYTH ON THIS ONE IS NOT
WHETHER QUICKSAND EXISTS.
IT'S WHETHER KILLER QUICKSAND
EXISTS, LIKE YOU SEE IN THE
MOVIES, THE STUFF THAT ACTUALLY
SUCKS YOU DOWN.
>> SO WE'RE GONNA TRY AND
REPLICATE A KILLER QUICKSAND
THAT WOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF
SUCTION EFFECT OR SOMETHING THAT
WOULD DRAG SOMEONE ALL THE WAY
UNDER.
>> EXACTLY.
>> Narrator: IT'S ANOTHER
CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD HORROR.
JOHNNY WEISSMULLER COULD ALWAYS
RELY ON KILLER QUICKSAND TO
SWALLOW TARZAN'S ENEMIES.
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ]
BUT IS THERE EVEN A GRAIN OF
TRUTH IN THE KILLER-QUICKSAND
STORY?
CAN YOU REALLY BE SUCKED DOWN
INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT?
>> RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER UP
HERE, RIGHT?
>> YEAH.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THERE BEFORE?
>> YEAH, THIS IS THE PLACE I'VE
BOUGHT FAKE EYEBALLS.
>> Narrator: THE FUNNY THING IS,
NO ONE KNOWS IF KILLER QUICKSAND
EXISTS.
BUT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO IF
THEY EVER FALL IN SOME.
>> ISN'T THAT THE MYTH THAT --
THE MYTH ABOUT QUICKSAND, THAT
YOU SHOULDN'T FIGHT IT, YOU
SHOULD -- THE MORE YOU FIGHT,
THE FASTER YOU SINK?
THAT'S WHAT I SAW IN THE TARZAN
MOVIES.
>> EXACTLY.
>> Narrator: JAMIE'S ALREADY GOT
A PARTICULAR SAND PARTICLE
THEORY.
>> SO, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME
KIND OF THRESHOLD OF FINENESS
WHERE, AT A CERTAIN POINT, IT
JUST WILL STAY IN SUSPENSION
LIKE MUD.
>> RIGHT.
WELL, THEN WE NEED, LIKE, THE
LOWEST DENSITY STUFF YOU'VE GOT.
>> Narrator: A BAG OF YOUR
FINEST SAND, PLEASE.
AND WE DO MEAN YOUR FINEST.
THE GUYS SETTLE ON TWO TYPES OF
FINE-GRAIN SAND AND SOME CLAY
POWDER.
>> SO, BOB, IF WE COME UP WITH
SOME KILLER QUICKSAND, WE'LL
GIVE YOU THE RECIPE SO YOU CAN,
YOU KNOW, KEEP YOUR PATRONS
INFORMED.
>> I PROBABLY HAVE CUSTOMERS
THAT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT, SO
YEAH, THAT'D BE GREAT.
>> Narrator: THE QUESTION ISN'T
WHETHER QUICKSAND IS REAL.
IT'S REAL, ALL RIGHT.
JUST ASK GERALD GRAY.
>> I WAS HORSEBACK RIDING WITH
MY FAMILY.
I WAS ABOUT 8 YEARS OLD.
WAS ON THE SANTA ANA RIVER IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS A
VERY SANDY-BOTTOMED RIVER.
AND WE KNEW IT HAD QUICKSAND,
BUT WE NEVER COULD TELL WHERE
THAT WAS GOING TO BE.
THEIR HORSES MISSED IT AND GOT
TO SHORE.
MY HORSE WENT DOWN.
HE SANK TO HIS BELLY, AND I WAS
AFRAID TO GET OFF, AND I WAS
WARNED NOT TO GET OFF BECAUSE
THERE WAS QUICKSAND BETWEEN ME
AND SHORE.
BUT WE MANAGED TO GET ROPES FROM
THE HORSES ON SHORE TO MY HORSE
AND PULL HIM OUT, OTHERWISE HE
WOULD HAVE PERISHED IF HE'D BEEN
ALONE.
>> Narrator: QUICKSAND IS THE
RESULT OF A PROCESS CALLED
"LIQUEFACTION."
WATER RISING FROM UNDER THE
GROUND OVERSATURATES THE SAND
OR SOIL, REDUCING THE FRICTION
BETWEEN THE PARTICLES UNTIL THEY
CAN NO LONGER BEAR ANY WEIGHT.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE FULL-SCALE
TEST, ADAM AND JAMIE WILL NEED
TO KNOW THE DENSITY OF THEIR
QUICKSAND MIX.
IF IT'S MORE DENSE THAN NORMAL
WATER, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE
DIFFICULT TO SINK.
SO MYTHTERN CHRISTINE IS SENT
OFF TO MAKE A HYDROMETER, AN
INSTRUMENT WHICH MEASURES THE
LIQUID DENSITY.
A HYDROMETER IS A FLOAT WITH A
CALIBRATED STEM.
LEAD SHOT ACTS AS BALLAST,
KEEPING THE FLOAT VERTICAL.
YOU TAKE THE READING AT THE
POINT WHERE STEM AND LIQUID
MEET.
UNFORTUNATELY, ONE LITTLE SLIP,
AND CHRISTINE'S UP TO HER NECK
IN TROUBLE.
>> NOW YOU'VE JUST RUINED MY
THREADED ROD.
THIS IS TRASH, SO...
>> WELL, I'LL GIVE YOU THE
$1.50 LATER, OKAY?
>> CHUCK IT IN ONTO THE NUT.
THINK BEFORE DOING.
>> YES.
>> SEE, THAT'S NOT A BIG MISTAKE
ON THAT THING OVER THERE.
$30,000 MACHINE, SO...
DON'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT
THINKING, YOU KNOW.
JUST STOP AND THINK AND THINK
AGAIN BEFORE YOU TURN ANYTHING
ON OR DO ANYTHING WITH THIS
UNTIL YOU'RE REALLY AT HOME WITH
IT.
CHRISTINE'S A REALLY HARD
WORKER, WHICH IS A GOOD PLACE TO
START.
UNFORTUNATELY, SHE DOESN'T KNOW
ANYTHING.
>> JAMIE IS A VERY GOOD TEACHER,
ACTUALLY.
HE'LL PICK THINGS THAT ARE JUST
OUT OF MY RANGE OF ABILITY, SHOW
ME HOW TO DO THEM, AND THEN GO
AWAY.
[ LAUGHS ]
WALK AWAY AND SAY, "I NEED THIS
BY 4:00."
WHICH IS ACTUALLY VERY EFFECTIVE
WITH ME, SO...
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO
HERE FOR A LIVING IS NORMALLY
USING TOOLS AND MATERIALS IN
WAYS THAT THEY'RE NOT INTENDED
TO BE USED.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO, SO WHEN WE'VE
GOT JUNIOR PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH
THAT KIND OF THING, I HAVE TO
KIND OF STOP AND MAKE A MENTAL
NOTE.
I'M LIKE, "THIS IS A POTENTIAL
HAZARD."
YOU DIDN'T GLUE THAT IN UPSIDE
DOWN, DID YOU?
I CAN'T LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR A
SECOND, CAN I?
>> [ GIGGLES ]
>> I THINK WE NEED TO TEST IT IN
SCALE FIRST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,
THE REAL DEAL IS GONNA INVOLVE A
LOT OF MATERIAL.
SO WE WANT TO KIND OF FIGURE OUT
WHAT WORKS BEST FIRST.
AND I FIGURED, WE RIG SOME
FIVE-GALLON BUCKETS, MAYBE SOME
WAYS OF PLUMBING AND THEN WITH
WATER TO COME UP THROUGH THE
BOTTOM OF THE SAND.
THAT'LL PROBABLY INVOLVE SOME
SORT OF FILTER DEVICE ON THE
BOTTOM.
AND THEN ONCE WE GET IT ALL
DIALED IN AND FIGURE OUT HOW IT
WORKS, WE'LL KNOW WHAT WE'RE
GONNA DO ON THE BIG VERSION.
>> AND WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW THE
DIFFERENT SANDS BEHAVE WITH THIS
KIND OF FLOW OF WATER.
>> EXACTLY.
>> Narrator: TIME FOR A
SMALL-SCALE TEST.
FIRST, REGULAR SAND.
>> FILL HER UP!
AH, COOL!
>> SUPPORTS IT, NO PROBLEM.
>> RIGHT.
IN FACT, I CAN PUSH ON IT, AND I
CAN'T PUSH IT DOWN.
>> OKAY.
>> THAT'S NOT MOVING ANYWHERE.
THE SAND IS TOTALLY COMPACTED.
>> OKAY.
>> SO, TURN IT ON REALLY LOW.
>> OKAY.
>> Narrator: BUT WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN WATER STARTS TO RISE
THROUGH THE SAND?
>> LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S SUCKING IT UP LIKE A
COWBOY'S HORSE.
>> Narrator: BUT JAMIE THINKS
THE WATER NEEDS TO BE DIFFUSED
MORE EVENLY THROUGH THE SAND.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> SO, WHAT'S GOING ON?
>> SLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS, I HOPE.
I'VE GOT A DOUBLE DIFFUSION
GOING ON HERE.
WE SACRIFICED AN EXTRA BUCKET OR
TWO FOR THIS.
BUT IN BETWEEN IT ALSO IS THIS
FABRIC, WHICH IS A MUCH FINER
WEAVE, AND IT SHOULD HOLD OUR
FINE SAND.
IF NOT, THE OTHER THINGS, SILT
OR WHATEVER.
AND THAT GOES INTO THIS BUCKET.
>> RIGHT.
HOW ABOUT SEALING THE OUTSIDE
EDGE HERE?
>> IT'LL DO THAT NOW THAT
THERE'S NO FABRIC.
IT ACTUALLY DOES A PRETTY GOOD
JOB, HAVE IT JAM IN THERE.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME, THEY TRY
ONE OF THE SANDS FROM THE CRAFT
STORE.
>> WELL, AT THIS RATE, IT'S NOT
LIKE I'M PLUMMETING TO THE
BOTTOM, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY
LETTING ME DROP A LOT QUICKER
THAN THE SAND NORMALLY WOULD.
AND IT ALSO IS RESISTING PULLING
BACK.
>> Narrator: NOW THEY'RE ONTO
SOMETHING.
OR IS THAT INTO SOMETHING?
>> SO YOU THINK IT'S ABOUT THE
LOWEST POSSIBLE FLOW?
>> YEAH.
THERE YOU GO.
>> THAT'S A LOT OF SUCTION.
>> THAT'S ENOUGH TO CAUSE YOU A
PROBLEM IF YOUR WHOLE BODY'S
DOING THAT.
>> WELL, LET'S TRY THE FINER
SAND AND SEE IF WE GET A LITTLE
MORE CONTROL.
>> OKAY.
>> THAT'S COOL.
HOW IS IT TO GET BACK OUT AGAIN?
REAL EASY?
>> WELL, NOT EXACTLY.
I'M GONNA TRY AND LIFT IT.
>> OOH!
>> SO THAT ACTUALLY --
>> THE FINER SAND MAKES A
DIFFERENCE IN ITS SUCTION.
>> YEAH.
>> Narrator: WHAT ABOUT THE CLAY
POWDER?
>> OOH, THAT FEELS FUNNY.
[ LAUGHS ]
>> YEAH, THIS ISN'T WORKING AT
ALL.
I MEAN, THIS IS JUST MUD, AND IT
WON'T LET THE WATER FLOW THROUGH
IT AT ALL.
>> Narrator: SO THEY SETTLED ON
THE TYPE OF SAND.
AND THE MINIATURE QUICKSAND RIG
WORKS WELL.
BUT CAN THEY MAKE IT WORK ON A
LARGE SCALE?
>> OH, I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY
GONNA WORK.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, I THINK WE'VE
GOT THIS WIRED.
I THINK WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO
DIAL THE FLOW IN.
[ SIGHS ]
IT'S A LOT OF STUFF TO MOVE
AROUND.
I MEAN, LIKE 20,000 POUNDS OF
SAND AND 15,000 POUNDS OF WATER
AND BIG PUMPS AND STUFF.
I MEAN, IT'S A HELL OF A DEAL.
>> Narrator: IT CERTAINLY IS.
AND SOON THE PRESSURE WILL START
TO SHOW.
>> I'M JUST EXPRESSING MY
OPINION, AND I'M NOT GIVING YOU
[BLEEP] ABOUT YOUR OPINION.
I'M JUST SAYING --
>> YOU GIVE ME [BLEEP] ABOUT
EVERY ONE OF MY OPINIONS.
>> Narrator: MEANWHILE, ADAM AND
JAMIE ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN APPLIANCE
SPLASHES DOWN IN YOUR BATH.
>> WOW!
>> Narrator: WHEN THAT HAPPENS,
THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT LEAKING
FROM IT IS DRAWN TOWARDS THE
METAL DRAIN.
NOW, H2O BY ITSELF ISN'T A GREAT
CONDUCTOR, BUT THE PRESENCE OF
SALT HELPS.
AND BECAUSE THE HUMAN BODY
CONTAINS A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF
SALT WATER, THE CURRENT PASSES
RIGHT THROUGH.
IT'S TIME TO UNVEIL OUR
BATH-BOUND DUMMY.
>> JAMIE, WE HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED
OF SUCH A THING.
>> THINK WE'RE GOOD.
LET'S DO IT.
>> Narrator: HE'S PERFECT.
>> OUR FIRST PROBLEM HAS BEEN
ENCOUNTERED.
>> Narrator: WELL, ALMOST.
>> HIS ARMS FELL OFF.
>> I SAY WE GET SOME CARROTS AND
SOME CELERY AND HAVE A STEW.
>> Narrator: THE COPPER PADDLES
ARE INSERTED INTO THE CHEST.
BALLISTICS GEL HAS SIMILAR
PROPERTIES TO HUMAN FLESH AND
SHOULD CONDUCT ELECTRICITY THE
SAME WAY.
>> THIS RELAY IS SET TO BE
TRIPPED AT ABOUT 6 VOLTS, WHICH
WE KNOW FROM EXPERIMENTATION
MEANS THAT THERE'S ABOUT 70
MILLIAMPS TRAVELING ACROSS THE
HEART.
>> Narrator: BUT IT WOULDN'T BE
"MYTHBUSTERS" WITHOUT
PYROTECHNICS, SO ADAM'S RIGGED
UP A FLASH POT TO IGNITE WHEN
THE CURRENT HITS 70 MILLIAMPS.
>> WHEN WE GET A LETHAL VOLTAGE
ACROSS THE HEART OF THE DUMMY,
IT'S GOING TO SHORT THIS
WIRE -- POOF! -- AND WE'LL GET A
NICE POOF, AND WE'LL ALL KNOW.
AND IT'S INSTANTLY RELOADABLE --
THE MYTHBUSTER WAY.
...3, 2...
THAT WAS COOL.
>> ISN'T THAT GOOD?
>> Narrator: RIGHT.
THIS BATH IS HOT.
TIME TO APPLY AN APPLIANCE.
THIS HAIR DRYER HAS A GROUND
FAULT INTERRUPTER, SO IF THE
MYTHBUSTERS HAVE CREATED A
PROPER CIRCUIT, IT SHOULD CUT
OUT THE MOMENT IT HITS THE
WATER.
>> 3, 2, 1.
GO!
>> Narrator: UH-OH, SOMETHING'S
NOT RIGHT.
>> LOOK AT THE WATER FLOWING.
>> IT'S PUMPING.
WHAT IS OUR AMPERAGE?
WHAT'S OUR AMPERAGE?
>> .95 A.C.
>> WHAT KIND OF GROUND VOLT
INTERRUPTION IS THIS?!
IT'S PUMPING WATER!
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> I WOULD SAY THAT'S BAD!
>> WELL, THE RELAY DIDN'T TRIP,
AND THE AMP METER DIDN'T SHOW
ENOUGH AMPERAGE TO KILL
SOMEBODY.
THAT'S IT.
I THINK WE SHOULD TRY AN
APPLIANCE WITHOUT THE GROUND
FAULT INTERRUPTER NEXT.
SO WHAT DO WE GOT?
>> WELL, WE GOT A RADIO.
[ MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
>> ALL RIGHT, GIVE ME THE
COUNTDOWN, BABY.
>> OKAY, AND 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
DROP!
>> Narrator: TORY'S SHELF
COLLAPSES LIKE A GALLOWS
TRAPDOOR.
>> WE'RE UP TO 1 MILLIAMP NOW.
1 MILLIAMP.
1/70 OF A LETHAL DOSE OF
ELECTRICITY.
WELL, THAT'S BUBKIS, I BELIEVE,
IS THE SCIENTIFIC TERM FOR THAT.
>> Narrator: SOMETHING'S
BUBKIS, ADAM.
QUESTION IS, WHAT?
THE MYTHBUSTERS CALL IN SOME
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING KNOW-HOW
FOR A POWWOW.
>> THIS TRANSISTOR, AND THEN...
>> THAT SAYS -- THAT SAYS ON THE
COIL, RIGHT THERE ON...
>> SO, IS THE CURRENT FLOWING...
>> Narrator: TURNS OUT THERE ARE
TWO FAULTS IN THE SYSTEM --
ADAM AND JAMIE.
>> WELL, JAMIE, I MEAN, THIS IS
JUST A CLASSIC "MYTHBUSTERS"
SCREW-UP WE'VE GOT ON OUR HANDS.
FIRST OFF, THE RESISTANCE OF THE
HUMAN BODY IN THE BATH IS MORE
LIKE 1,000 OHMS RATHER THAN THE
20,000 OHMS THAT WE'VE GOT READ
ON THE BALLISTICS GEL.
THEN IT TURNS OUT THAT
ELECTROCUTION IS CLASSIFIED AS
6 MILLIAMPS ACROSS THE HEART,
NOT THE 60 WE WERE ORIGINALLY
TESTING FOR.
>> AND THEN I SCREWED UP BECAUSE
I HAD THE MULTIMETER ON THE
WRONG SETTING, AND I WAS
MEASURING VOLTAGE INSTEAD OF
AMPERAGE, WHICH MEANT THAT WE
WEREN'T GETTING THE CIRCUIT
GROUNDED.
>> Narrator: TALK ABOUT GETTING
YOUR WIRES CROSSED.
OH, WELL!
EVEN THE MYTHBUSTERS MAKE
MISTAKES.
THE GUYS QUICKLY RECALIBRATE THE
SYSTEM.
>> THAT'S IT.
>> Narrator: AND THE GFI DRYER
TAKES ANOTHER DIVE.
>> ...2, 1.
WELL, THE GROUND FAULT
INTERRUPTER TRIPPED IMMEDIATELY,
THUS PROVING ITSELF A LIFESAVING
DEVICE.
>> Narrator: OKAY, SO NOW THE
CIRCUIT'S WORKING.
THIS OLDER HAIR DRYER DOESN'T
HAVE A GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER.
ON EACH DROP, THE AMOUNT OF
CURRENT ACROSS THE PADDLES IS
RELAYED TO JAMIE'S COMPUTER.
>> I'D CALL THAT DEAD.
YEAH, WHAT ARE YOU READING,
JAMIE?
I'M SEEING 8 1/2 MILLIAMPS HERE
ACROSS THE HEART.
>> THIS ONE IS DEAD AS A DODO.
WELL OVER THE THRESHOLD.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SHALL WE POWER DOWN?
>> Narrator: SO, ADAM WAS WAY
OFF.
FORGET 70 MILLIAMPS.
JUST 6 MILLIAMPS FIZZING THROUGH
A BODY IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE LOSS
OF MUSCULAR CONTROL, MAKING IT
IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THE
BATH.
>> NEXT UP, TOASTER.
I CAN SMELL THE DANGER.
ALL RIGHT. YOU READY?
>> RECORDING.
>> OKAY, PULLING IN 3, 2, 1.
WHOA!
>> Narrator: OUR FRIEND HERE IS
"TOAST."
>> OH, YEAH, 12 MILLIAMPS.
THAT'S VERY LETHAL.
TOTALLY LETHAL.
TOASTERS -- NO GOOD.
NEXT ITEM, ONE OF MY PERSONAL
FAVORITES, THE CURLING IRON.
LET'S GO!
>> WHAT ARE YOU,
PEE WEE HERMAN-Y?
>> [ LAUGHS ]
HERE WE GO. 3, 2, 1!
MMM! 4 1/2!
IT'S GONNA BE REALLY
UNCOMFORTABLE.
>> I THINK HE GOT OUT OF THE
BATH BY NOW.
>> YOU THINK HE CAN?
DON'T FORGET, WE'VE 4 1/2
MILLIAMPS AT THE HEART.
THE REST OF YOUR BODY'S GOING TO
BE LIKE --
LETHAL DOSE IS 6 MILLIAMPS, BUT
4 1/2 HAS GOT TO SUCK.
>> 4 1/2 MILLIAMPS, IT'S A
LITTLE CLOSE FOR COMFORT.
I THINK I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE IN
THERE WITH THAT.
>> AND NOW THE IRON.
OR AS WE REFER TO IT AROUND
HERE, FIERRO DE LOS MUERTOS!
WOW!
THAT'S THE HIGHEST SPIKE YET.
WE GOT 32 MILLIAMPS.
THIS THING IS LITERALLY PUMPING
DEATH INTO OUR SUBJECT HERE.
>> Narrator: 32 MILLIAMPS --
THAT'S MORE THAN 5 TIMES THE
LETHAL LIMIT.
>> ITEMS THAT HAD LARGE HEATING
ELEMENTS ARE DELIVERING A LOT
MORE CURRENT, AND THAT'S
SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE A HEATING
ELEMENT IS BASICALLY A MODIFIED
SHORT ACROSS WIRE, SO IT'S A LOT
OF EXPOSURE TO THE WATER.
>> Narrator: THE MYTHBUSTERS
ALSO DISCOVERED THAT IF THE
APPLIANCE LANDS CLOSER TO THE
METAL DRAIN, THE DOSE OF
ELECTRICITY IS DRASTICALLY
REDUCED BECAUSE THE CURRENT HAS
LESS DISTANCE TO TRAVEL.
>> WE KNOW THAT YOU CAN BE
ELECTROCUTED.
NOW WE'D LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT
WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU ADDED
SOMETHING LIKE BUBBLE BATH TO
THE WATER.
>> Narrator: WILL THE WATER'S
CONDUCTIVITY BE CHANGED?
>> NO, THAT'S NOT AS MUCH AS IT
WAS LAST TIME.
IT'S ONLY ABOUT 11 MILLIAMPS.
LAST TIME IT WAS 18, I BELIEVE.
THE SOAP SUDS DON'T HELP IT AT
ALL, IN FACT.
IT SEEMS LIKE IT CUT IT DOWN.
NEXT UP, WE'RE GONNA TRY 200
MILS OF FAKE URINE IN THE BATH.
>> Narrator: OUR URINE IS JUST
WATER WITH SALT AND FOOD DYE
ADDED.
>> FAKE WEE TEST IN 3, 2, 1.
>> WELL, THAT'S GOT IT.
IT'S JUST RIGHT IN THE DEATH
ZONE.
>> Narrator: AND FINALLY,
EPSOM SALTS.
REMEMBER, SALT NORMALLY
INCREASES WATER'S CONDUCTIVITY.
>> BIG SPIKE.
>> WOW.
>> THAT WAS OVER AN AMP.
THAT'D BE HUGE.
YOU'D BE TOAST.
YOU'D FRY.
YOU'D BOIL.
>> Narrator: THIS FROM THE GUY
WHO THOUGHT NOTHING WOULD
HAPPEN.
>> I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE.
WE LEARNED A LOT ON THIS.
YOU CAN DEFINITELY DIE IF YOU
DROP AN APPLIANCE INTO THE TUB.
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
SURPRISINGLY, IT ACTUALLY TURNS
OUT THAT THE LOCATION OF WHERE
THE APPLIANCE FALLS IN THE
BATHTUB REALLY HAS A STRONG
EFFECT ON THE SEVERITY OF THE
SHOCK YOU'D GET.
>> AND WHAT'S IN THE WATER WILL
DETERMINE HOW QUICKLY YOU DIE.
>> EVERYONE ALWAYS WANTS TO KNOW
IF WE'RE JUST BUSTING MYTHS OR
IF WE'RE ACTUALLY CONFIRMING
THEM.
AND THIS ONE, 100% CONFIRMED.
YEAH, WE'RE DONE.
>> Narrator: THE MYTHBUSTERS ARE
TRYING TO CREATE QUICKSAND, NOT
ORDINARY QUICKSAND, KILLER
QUICKSAND -- STUFF THAT WILL
SUCK YOU RIGHT UNDER.
>> I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S GONNA
WORK.
IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF HOW
WELL.
BECAUSE WHILE I KNOW THAT WE CAN
SINK IN THERE, I DON'T KNOW HOW
FAST WE'RE GONNA GET IT.
THE IDEAL WOULD BE TO GET IT SO
YOU PLUMMET IN THERE, BUT THEN
YOU GET STUCK.
>> Narrator: FOR THIS ONE, THE
GUYS ARE GONNA NEED ONE MIGHTY
BIG BUCKET.
>> WHOA. STOP.
>> Narrator: THIS 2,000-GALLON
TANK HAS PLAYED A STARRING ROLE
BEFORE ON "MYTHBUSTERS."
>> HEY, ADAM, DID YOU HEAR THE
GUY TELL US WHAT THIS WAS FOR?
>> WHAT WAS IT FOR?
>> LIKE, FECAL MATTER.
>> AAAH!
SO, I'M GONNA CUT THIS TANK DOWN
TO JUST OVER EIGHT FEET FROM THE
INSIDE.
[ LAUGHS ]
AH.
THAT WAS REALLY SATISFYING.
[ LAUGHS ]
THESE GAUZE HOLES WILL ACTUALLY
ALLOW WATER TO GET OUT, BUT KEEP
THE SAND INSIDE.
AND THAT'LL MAKE THE TOP OF OUR
QUICKSAND NOT LIKE A SLURRY, BUT
ACTUALLY LOOK MORE LIKE SAND,
WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS MORE
REALISTIC TO WHAT PEOPLE THINK
OF QUICKSAND LOOKING LIKE.
>> Narrator: MEANWHILE, JAMIE
AND CHRISTINE START WORK ON THE
DIFFUSER.
THE GAUZE WILL LET WATER RISE
INTO THE TANK, BUT STOP SAND
FROM FLOWING BACK INTO THE PUMP.
>> SO, WHAT WE'VE GOT IS A HUGE
SIX-FOOT TANK ABOUT EIGHT FEET
HIGH.
WE'RE GOING TO FEED WATER UP
THROUGH THIS DIFFUSER INTO SEVEN
FEET OF SAND.
AND WHEN WE GET THAT WATER TO
FLOW AT THE RIGHT RATE, WHAT WE
SHOULD END UP WITH IS QUICKSAND.
>> OUR TASK IS NOT ONLY TO BUILD
QUICKSAND, BUT KILLER QUICKSAND.
AND I HAVE MY DOUBTS THAT WE'LL
BE ABLE TO DO THIS BECAUSE WHEN
YOU START TO THINK ABOUT WHAT'S
INVOLVED, THE SAND ACTUALLY
MAKES IT HARDER FOR YOU TO DROWN
IN IT BECAUSE IT'S, IN EFFECT,
MAKING WATER MORE DENSE.
WATER WITH SAND IN IT IS HEAVIER
THAN WATER WITHOUT SAND IN IT,
HENCE YOU'RE GOING TO BE MORE
BUOYANT.
>> THIS POOL WILL SERVE AS THE
CATCH BASIN AND RECIPROCATING
TANK FOR OUR QUICKSAND RIG.
YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD.
ANOTHER FOOT.
ALL RIGHT. THAT OUGHT TO DO IT.
YEAH!
>> Narrator: THE TANK'S IN
POSITION.
>> OH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL!
>> Narrator: IT'S TIME TO FILL
THE POOL.
AND THAT'S WHEN THE QUICKSAND
EXPERIMENT GETS A LITTLE STICKY.
>> CRANK IT ALL THE WAY.
>> Narrator: ADAM WANTS TO CALL
IN A FIRE HOSE AND GET THE JOB
DONE QUICKLY.
THAT MEANS GETTING PERMISSION TO
USE A HYDRANT, PHONE CALLS,
PROBABLY SOME EXPENSE.
BUT JAMIE'S HAPPY TO USE HIS
GARDEN HOSE.
>> OKAY, IT'S A LITTLE UNDER 30
SECONDS FOR 5 GALLONS.
>> ALL RIGHT, WHICH MEANS 10
GALLONS A MINUTE.
SO 10 MINUTES IS 100 GALLONS.
1,000 GALLONS IS 100 MINUTES.
2,000 GALLONS IS 200 MINUTES.
IT'S JUST OVER 3 HOURS TO FILL
THAT TANK, AND THEN ANOTHER
PROBABLY HOUR OR TWO TO GET THAT
POOL.
SO IT'S FIVE HOURS OF FILLING.
THAT'S AS OPPOSED TO DOING THE
FIRE HOSE, WHERE IT'S LIKE, 40
MINUTES.
>> Narrator: HIS PARTNER WON'T
BUDGE.
UNDER THAT BERET IS ONE STUBBORN
MYTHBUSTER.
>> WE CAN CONTINUE TO NOT ERR ON
THE SIDE OF CAUTION AND JUST
WASTE TIME BECAUSE YOU'RE CHEAP.
>> I'M JUST EXPRESSING MY
OPINION, AND I'M NOT GIVING YOU
[BLEEP] ABOUT YOUR OPINION.
I'M JUST SAYING --
>> YOU GIVE ME [BLEEP] FOR
EVERY ONE OF MY OPINIONS.
EVERY LAST SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT ONE, AND
YOU TALK UNTIL I CAN'T STAND TO
HEAR YOU TALK ANYMORE, AND
THEN WE GO WITH YOUR IDEA.
>> OH, YOU BABY.
NOW I GOT TO LISTEN TO YOU WHINE
ABOUT IT THE WHOLE TIME IT'S
FILLING.
IT'S LIKE, "WAH, WAH, WAH."
>> I LIKE TO DO THINGS
EFFICIENTLY AND KIND OF FAST,
AND JAMIE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR
THE KIND OF [SIGHS] LOWEST
AMOUNT OF -- I DON'T EVEN KNOW
HOW TO DESCRIBE IT -- THE LEAST
AMOUNT OF EFFORT INVOLVED.
SO, HE WANTS TO GO WITH JUST THE
GARDEN HOSE, WHERE I LIKE TO GO
WITH THE FIRE HOSE.
THE FIRE HOSE, I KNOW THE WHOLE
THING IS FULL INSIDE OF LIKE 15,
20 MINUTES, YOU KNOW.
BUT THE GARDEN HOSE IS GONNA
TAKE SEVERAL HOURS.
>> Narrator: BUT THERE'S
NO TIME FOR TANTRUMS.
>> I'M GONNA GO TURN ON THE
WATER.
>> Narrator: 20,000 POUNDS OF
SAND HAVE JUST ARRIVED...
>> THAT'S A LOT OF SAND!
>> Narrator: ...ALONG WITH AN
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST WHO KNOWS
PLENTY ABOUT QUICKSAND.
>> MORE EASILY FORMS IN A
SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE VERY
FINE SAND.
IN FACT, GEOLOGISTS SOMETIMES
CALL IT SUGAR SAND.
SO, MOST OF YOUR QUICKSAND IS IN
REALLY FINE-GRAIN SAND.
>> SO, TOM, THE 20,000 POUNDS OF
SAND WE'VE GOT HERE, IS THIS
GREAT FOR QUICKSAND?
>> THIS IS PROBABLY AS GOOD AS
IT GETS BECAUSE IT'S VERY FINE
GRAINED, AND IT WILL -- THERE'S
SO MUCH SURFACE AREA HERE THAT
WHEN THE WATER FLOWS THROUGH IT,
IT MEANS THE WATER CAN GRAB ON
TO THAT, AND THAT'LL CREATE THE
QUICK CONDITION.
>> Narrator: THIS IRRIGATION
PUMP CAN MOVE UP TO 1,400
GALLONS OF WATER A MINUTE.
BUT IF IT STOPS WHILE ADAM AND
JAMIE ARE IN THE QUICKSAND, THE
SAND WILL SUDDENLY COMPACT,
AND THE MYTHBUSTERS WILL HAVE
SOME PRESSING PROBLEMS.
ADAM AND JAMIE ARE SUDDENLY
FACING DANGER ON TWO FRONTS.
ON ONE HAND, THE GUYS COULD BE
SUCKED UNDER BY KILLER
QUICKSAND.
OR THEY COULD BE CRUSHED.
>> TOM'S POINTING OUT QUITE
REALISTICALLY THAT IF THE PUMP
STOPS DURING THE EXPERIMENT, WE
COULD DIE 'CAUSE WE'LL BE
ENCASED IN 20,000 POUNDS OF
SAND.
IT IS CAUSE FOR REAL CONCERN.
>> BEFORE I TALKED TO TOM, I
WASN'T THAT CONCERNED ABOUT
GOING INTO THE QUICKSAND.
BUT I THINK HE HAS A GOOD POINT,
AND WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WITH
THIS.
>> Narrator: WE'LL LEAVE ADAM
AND JAMIE TO PONDER THEIR
FINE-GRAINED FATE.
THERE ARE A HOST OF
MEDICAL-RELATED MYTHS SWIRLING
AROUND CYBERSPACE.
REMEMBER THE GOVERNMENT
MIND-CONTROL CHIPS BEING PLACED
IN THE ARMS OF BLOOD DONORS?
>> A LITTLE STING. HERE WE GO.
>> Narrator: WHEN ADAM AND JAMIE
BUSTED THAT ONE, IT WAS A SHOT
IN THE ARM FOR SCIENCE AND
COMMON SENSE.
>> [ Monotone ] I DON'T NOTICE
ANYTHING AT ALL.
I FEEL PERFECTLY NORMAL NOW.
>> Narrator: NOW THE BUILD TEAM
HAVE GOT ANOTHER MYTH THAT'LL
REALLY GET UNDER YOUR SKIN.
>> YOU GUYS ARE GONNA LOVE THIS
ONE.
OUR NEXT BIT IS CALLED "THE
EXPLODING TATTOO."
APPARENTLY THE MYTH GOES THAT IF
YOU HAVE SOME SORT OF DECORATIVE
TATTOO AND GO INTO AN MRI, THE
TATTOO EXPLODES.
>> ARE YOU WORRIED?
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU GUYS
ARE GOING TO PUT ME INTO AN MRI.
>> Narrator: LET'S OUTLINE THE
SITUATION.
TATTOO INK, ESPECIALLY INK USED
MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, CONTAINS
TRACES OF METAL.
A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGER, OR
MRI, IS BASICALLY A POWERFUL
MAGNET WITH A FORCE AT LEAST
30,000 TIMES GREATER THAN THE
EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD.
WHEN METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE
TATTOO MEET THE MRI MAGNET, SO
THE STORY GOES, THE RESULT IS A
LOT MORE PAINFUL THAN ACTUALLY
GETTING THE TATTOO IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
>> SO, ARE YOU GOING TO GET AN
MRI?
>> NO.
>> NO?
>> NO.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE JOB
ON "MYTHBUSTERS" IS TO PUT YOUR
BODY TO THE TEST, AND BEING THE
ONE WITH THE TATTOOS, I THINK
YOU NEED TO GO AT LEAST HAVE AN
MRI ON YOUR ARM.
>> Narrator: COME ON, SCOTTIE.
ADAM AND JAMIE ARE ABOUT TO
THROW THEMSELVES INTO QUICKSAND.
THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS STICK
YOUR INKED-UP ARM IN AN MRI.
AFTER ALL, IT IS FOR SCIENCE.
>> WHOA!
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> IT'S MY GHOST DOG.
>> I THINK SHE ACTUALLY LOOKS
SCARED.
>> SHE LOOKS CUTE IN THAT
NIGHTGOWN, THOUGH.
>> Narrator: STAFF HERE HAVE
HEARD THE EXPLODING TATTOO
STORY, BUT DON'T THINK SCOTTIE
WILL WIND UP "INK-CAPACITATED."
>> ONE OR TWO PATIENTS OUT OF A
100 WHO HAVE A TATTOO AND AN MRI
SCAN HAVE A REACTION, BUT THE
REACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
DESCRIBED ARE ALL MINOR,
CONSISTING OF A LITTLE BIT OF
DISCOMFORT OR SOME REDNESS AT
THE TATTOO, BUT NOBODY HAS
DESCRIBED EXPLODING TATTOOS.
>> DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE
THAT THE MAGNETIC FIELD IS
INDUCING SOME SORT OF CURRENT IN
THE PIGMENTS OR IN THE MATERIAL
IN THE TATTOO?
>> IT'S POSSIBLE, BUT IT SEEMS
UNLIKELY BECAUSE USUALLY TO GET
INDUCED CURRENTS, YOU NEED
LENGTHS OF WIRE OR LOOPS, SO
IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW THESE TINY
PARTICLES COULD HAVE CURRENTS
INDUCED IN THEM, BUT NOBODY
COULD SAY IT'S NOT HAPPENING FOR
SURE.
>> ARE YOU OKAY?
>> I'M FINE.
>> [ SNIFFS ]
WHAT'S THAT SMELL?
IT SMELLS LIKE SIZZLING BACON.
>> Narrator: AT THE FIRST SIGN
OF TROUBLE, THE SCAN WILL BE
STOPPED.
>> LOOKS LIKE A -- LOOKS LIKE A
T-BONE STEAK.
>> Narrator: AN MRI SCAN TARGETS
THE BODY'S BILLIONS OF HYDROGEN
ATOMS.
THE ATOMS LINE UP WITH THE
STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD AND ARE
THEN BOMBARDED BY RADIO WAVES.
THE RADIO WAVES ARE ABSORBED BY
THE ATOMS, AND THE RESULTING
SIGNAL SENT TO A COMPUTER WHICH
TURNS THE DATA INTO A 2-D IMAGE.
>> IS THERE ANY DISTORTION IN
THE IMAGE OR A SIGN OF THE
TATTOO?
>> NO.
>> NO?
>> Narrator: SCOTTIE'S ARMFUL
OF INK IS STILL INTACT -- NO
PAIN, NO DISCOMFORT, NO
EXPLOSION.
>> WELL, YOU'RE LOOKING ALL
RIGHT.
>> Narrator: BUT, OF COURSE, THE
TATTOO MYTH AIN'T BUSTED YET.
THE BUILD TEAM'S BARELY
SCRATCHED THE SURFACE.
[ NEEDLE BUZZING ]
>> WE STILL HAVE TO BUST THIS
MYTH.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAVE
TO DO SOME EXPERIMENTS.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GET THE
COMPOUNDS THAT GO INTO ALL OF
THESE PIGMENTS AND TEST THEM
INDIVIDUALLY TO FIND OUT WHAT
COULD CAUSE ANY SORT OF
IRRITATION OR EXPLOSION.
>> Narrator: SO, WHAT GOES INTO
TATTOO INK?
THE PIGMENTS ARE A POTPOURRI OF
CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, INCLUDING
IRON OXIDE, ZINC OXIDE, AND
TITANIUM DIOXIDE.
>> SO, THE THEORY IS, IS THE
METALLIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE
USED IN TATTOO PIGMENTS HAVE
BEEN HAVING SOME REACTIONS WITH
THE MRI MAGNETIC FIELD.
SO WHAT WE HAVE HERE ARE A
COUPLE OF THOSE COMPONENTS.
WE HAVE IRON OXIDE.
WE HAVE THE COPPER AND THE ZINC,
AND THE MERCURY.
SO, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE
GONNA TRY TO EXPOSE SOME OF
THESE MATERIALS TO A STRONG
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD.
>> WE CAN SEE IF THE PIGMENTS
LINE UP WITH THE MAGNETIC FIELD.
SECONDLY, IF THE THEORY IS THAT
THERE'S SORT OF A CURRENT BEING
INDUCED, WE HAVE A VOLT METER TO
CHECK FOR THAT.
AND, OF COURSE, IF THE PIGMENTS
ARE CREATING SOME SORT OF
EXCITATION IN THE SKIN AND
HEATING IT, WE HAVE A
THERMOMETER TO CHECK AND SEE IF
THERE'S ANY TEMPERATURE
DIFFERENCE.
>> Narrator: WHICH COMPOUND IS
THE CULPRIT?
ONE BY ONE, THEY'RE TESTED.
>> OKAY.
COPPER AND ZINC.
>> Narrator: BUT ONLY ONE, IRON
OXIDE, REACTS TO THE MAGNETIC
FIELD.
>> AFTER ALL OF THAT TESTING, IT
LOOKS LIKE IRON OXIDE IS
DEFINITELY THE CULPRIT HERE.
I MEAN, YOU COULD SEE IT JUST
MOVING OVER THE MAGNETIC FIELD.
IT WOULD LINE UP.
>> WELL, WE STILL NEED TO MAKE A
TATTOO EXPLODE.
SO WHAT I'M THINKING IS WE'LL
MAKE OUR OWN INK, MIX IN SOME
IRON OXIDE, MAKE IT A THICK
BATCH, AND THEN TATTOO SOMEONE.
I FIGURED YOU'D BE THE GOOD
PERSON TO TRY IT ON.
>> NO.
NO, NO.
NO, NO.
>> Narrator: THE JUNIOR
MYTHBUSTERS ARE TRYING TO MAKE
TATTOO INK THAT WILL EXPLODE IN
AN MRI.
THEY'RE GOING SHOPPING FOR ART
SUPPLIES AT THE BUTCHER'S.
>> WE NEED SOME PORK.
>> YEAH, BUT IT HAS TO HAVE THE
SKIN LEFT ON IT.
>> OKAY.
>> OH, LOOK AT THAT.
BEAUTIFUL.
>> SO, WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?
THE LEG OR THE BELLY?
>> DON'T ASK ME.
I'M A VEGETARIAN.
>> I WOULD SAY WE SHOULD GO WITH
THE BELLY.
I MEAN, IT'S, LIKE, A NICE, BIG
CANVAS THAT WE CAN DRAW ALL
OVER.
>> IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE
TENDER, AS WELL.
>> LOOK, IT STILL HAS LITTLE
HAIRS ON IT.
>> THIS MY OLD FRIEND MATTIE.
AND HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEW
INK ON MY ARM.
>> WELCOME, MATTIE.
>> HOW YOU DOING?
>> HOW YOU DOING?
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> AND HE'S HERE TODAY.
HE'S GONNA SHOW US HOW TO TATTOO
ON OUR PIG.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> WHOO-HOO-HOO.
>> HEY, MATTIE, YOU EVER TATTOO
A PIG BEFORE?
>> NO, I NEVER TATTOOED A PIG.
I WAS TOLD TO TRY PIG EARS WHEN
I WAS LEARNING HOW TO TATTOO,
BUT I NEVER TRIED A PIG.
I USED MY OWN LEG.
>> Narrator: MATTIE'S HEARD THE
MRI MYTH, TOO.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S TRUE
BECAUSE I WOULD HEAR A LOT MORE
ABOUT PEOPLE COMING BACK TO THE
TATTOO PARLORS AND BEING LIKE,
"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TATTOO?"
[ LAUGHTER ]
BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYBODY
COME INTO A TATTOO PARLOR AND
SAY, "I WENT AND GOT AN MRI, AND
MY TATTOO EXPLODED."
YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WOULD BE
PRETTY BIG NEWS.
>> Narrator: THE PORK IS CUT
INTO PORTIONS.
MATTIE WILL USE TWO DIFFERENT
INKS -- A REGULAR TATTOOING
PIGMENT AND A SPECIAL BREW FULL
OF IRON OXIDE, THE ONE COMPOUND
THAT REACTED TO THE
ELECTROMAGNET.
>> SO, MATTIE, HERE'S THE
ULTRA-METALLIC PIGMENT.
CHECK IT OUT, SEE IF YOU THINK
THE CONSISTENCY IS GOOD ENOUGH.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S -- YEAH,
THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.
>> YEAH.
[ NEEDLE BUZZING ]
>> Narrator: RIGHT, IT'S TIME TO
GET SOME PIGMENT INTO THIS PIG.
>> IT'S KIND OF GROSS.
>> YOU'RE NOT GETTING NEAR MY
ARM.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> YOU'RE NOT GETTING NEAR ME
WITH THAT THING.
>> Narrator: KARI, IT MIGHT BE
SAFER IF YOU STICK TO FELT TIP.
>> SEE IF THERE'S ANY CHANGE --
>> CAREFUL OF YOUR CREDIT CARDS
AND STUFF.
DON'T WEAR A WALLET.
>> OH, YEAH. OH, YEAH.
LOOK AT THAT.
I HAVE BOBBY PINS IN.
I COULD FEEL THAT, TOO.
>> Narrator: BACK AT THE MRI
MACHINE, THE SUPER-IRON-OXIDE
INK TAKES ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN.
THE CONTAINER IS SUDDENLY SUCKED
RIGHT INTO THE CORE.
>> SO, THAT AIN'T GONNA WORK.
>> YEAH, THAT AIN'T GONNA WORK.
>> THAT WAS COMPLETELY NUTTY.
THE IRON OXIDE GOT COMPLETELY
SUCKED INTO THE MAGNET.
>> YEAH, THE BOX FLEW RIGHT OFF.
AND IT WAS PRETTY COOL.
>> THANK GOODNESS WE TAPED THE
TOP.
OTHERWISE, I DON'T THINK THEY'D
LET US COME BACK.
>> Narrator: THE PORK BELLIES
ARE PRIMED FOR SCANNING.
>> OKAY, SO THIS IS OUR SPECIAL
"MYTHBUSTERS" SUPER-IRON-OXIDE
INK.
>> SO, IF ANYONE'S GONNA
EXPLODE, IT'S GONNA BE THIS ONE.
>> Narrator: THERE'S A GLITCH ON
THE IMAGE.
THE HEAVY IRON OXIDE CONTENT
SEEMS TO BE HAVING AN EFFECT.
>> SO, YOU THINK THAT WHAT WE
TATTOOED IS ACTUALLY MAKING AN
INTERFERENCE ON YOUR SCAN.
>> DEFINITELY.
>> Narrator: BUT IT'S NOT
EXPLOSIVE.
>> WELL, IT DIDN'T EXPLODE.
SO GO AHEAD AND BLOT IT AND SEE
IF ANY OF THE PIGMENTS CAME UP.
>> NO.
NO PIGMENT'S BEEN PULLED TO
THE SURFACE.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO NEXT ONE WE'RE
GONNA DO IS THE TRADITIONAL
IRON OXIDE, WHAT YOU NORMALLY
FIND IN A REGULAR TATTOO PARLOR.
>> Narrator: THE IRON OXIDE IN
THE REGULAR INK ALSO INTERFERES
WITH THE SCAN, BUT THE EFFECT IS
MUCH SMALLER.
BUT IN THE END, SCOTTIE, TORY,
AND KARI ARE LEFT WITH CHUNKS OF
UNEXPLODED TATTOOED PORK.
>> ALL RIGHT, SCOTTIE, EXPLODING
TATTOOS -- TELL US WHAT YOU CAME
UP WITH.
>> WELL, CLEARLY IRON OXIDE IS
THE CULPRIT HERE.
IRON OXIDE DEFINITELY REACTS TO
THE MAGNETIC FIELD, AND IT'S
VERY COMMON IN A LOT OF TATTOO
INKS.
BUT AT MOST IT'S GONNA CAUSE
HEATING.
THERE WAS ONE CASE OF A BLISTER
WITH THE OPERATORS THAT WE
TALKED TO.
BUT IT'S NOT GONNA EXPLODE.
>> SO YOU'RE TELLING US THERE
WAS NO EXPLODING TATTOO.
>> NO, JAMIE.
I KNOW THAT DISAPPOINTS YOU, BUT
I'M A LITTLE RELIEVED ABOUT
THAT.
>> SO MYTH CONFIRMED, PLAUSIBLE?
>> MYTH BUSTED, I'M SAYING.
>> Narrator: THE MYTHBUSTERS'
KILLER-QUICKSAND RIG'S ALMOST
READY.
>> PUSH UP. PUSH UP.
>> MY FOOT WAS STUCK UNDER IT.
SORRY.
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE MAKE THIS
STUFF UP AS WE GO, AND IT'S
ALWAYS SURPRISING WHEN IT
ACTUALLY WORKS LIKE WE THOUGHT
IT WOULD.
AND THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY THIS
LOOKS LIKE IT'S DOING.
EVERYTHING'S COMING TOGETHER
RELATIVELY QUICKLY.
VERY GOOD.
OH, LOOK AT THAT!
THAT'S BEAUTIFUL!
>> Narrator: JUST GOT TO HOPE IT
WORKS.
>> IF THIS VALVE RIGHT HERE
FAILED, THE PUMP WOULD CEASE TO
PUT WATER INTO THE TANK, AND OUR
SAND WOULD BECOME A DEADLY SOLID
MASS OF SAND THAT WE WOULD BE
IN.
[ IMITATING ENGINE REVVING ]
>> Narrator: THERE'S NOTHING
LIKE A HUGE PIECE OF
EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT TO BRING
OUT THE BOY IN ADAM.
[ BEEPING ]
>> YOU'RE GOOD.
STOP.
>> WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT?
>> NOW WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW
WE'RE GONNA GET AT THAT
UNDERSIDE.
THAT'S PRETTY SCARY LETTING IT
GO ALL AT ONCE.
THERE SHE GOES.
>> REALLY?
>> YEAH.
>> WOW! LOOK AT THE BAG DRAIN!
>> WHOA!
>> OH, THAT IS SO COOL!
[ LAUGHS ]
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?
[ LAUGHS ]
I GOT MY OWN ISLAND.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THE TANK IS
FULL OF SAND AND WATER.
AND WE'RE SORT OF PRIMED.
>> WELL, LET'S TURN ON THE PUMP
AND START GETTING SOME HYDRATION
TO THE SAND.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
WOW, JAMIE --
>> OH, MY GOD!
>> NO PROBLEM AT ALL, MAN.
IT'S GOING RIGHT AWAY.
JAMIE?
>> YEAH?
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE QUICKSAND
HERE.
>> Narrator: NOW, ADAM AND JAMIE
WERE PLANNING ON HAVING A NICE
SANDY SURFACE.
BUT WHAT THEY'VE GOT IS A
QUAGMIRE AND A QUANDARY.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, OUR OUTLET
PORTS AREN'T LETTING THE WATER
OUT NEARLY FAST ENOUGH.
THESE PORTS UP HERE THAT I'VE
PUT IN ARE SUPPOSED TO LET WATER
OUT BEFORE IT REACHES OVER THE
TOP OF THE SAND SO IT CAN LOOK
LIKE A SANDY BEACH AND THEN ALL
OF A SUDDEN IT TURNS INTO
QUICKSAND.
UNFORTUNATELY THE SAND IS SO
FINE, IT'S CLOGGING UP THOSE
PORTS.
AND THE WATER IS JUST GOING UP
AND OVER IT.
>> THE RIG IS WORKING.
EVERYTHING'S WORKING EXACTLY AS
PLANNED.
WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO FILTER THE SAND A LITTLE
BETTER TO GET SOMETHING THAT
LOOKS GOOD.
>> WE'VE PUT IN SOME COTTON
BATTING, WHICH IS, LIKE,
STUFFING FOR STUFFED ANIMALS OR
ACTUALLY FOR QUILTS.
AND HOPEFULLY, THE LARGER
SURFACE AREA OF THAT WILL ALLOW
MORE WATER TO FLOW THROUGH WHILE
STILL HOLDING BACK THE SAND, SO
WE'RE JUST ABOUT TO TRY IT.
YEAH, IT SEEMS OKAY.
LET'S GET MORE SAND IN.
>> Narrator: MEANWHILE,
CHRISTINE'S MANAGED TO FINISH
THE HYDROMETER, WITHOUT
DESTROYING JAMIE'S WORKSHOP.
>> THIS HYDROMETER WILL GIVE US
A READING ON THIS WATER AND WILL
TELL US, IF WE PUT IT IN THE
QUICKSAND, WHETHER IT IS MORE OR
LESS DENSE THAN THIS WATER.
>> Narrator: THE HYDROMETER
FLOATS IN THE WATER, AND ITS
BUOYANCY LEVEL IS MARKED.
THEN IT'S DUNKED IN THE TANK.
>> IT'S FLOATING.
THAT SHOWS REALLY NICELY THAT
THE WATER-SAND MIXTURE IS A LOT
MORE DENSE THAN WATER.
>> THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD BE IF
IT WAS H2O.
>> Narrator: SO, IN THEORY, A
PERSON WILL FLOAT BETTER IN
QUICKSAND THAN NORMAL WATER.
THE KILLER-QUICKSAND MYTH IS ON
SHAKY GROUND.
>> WE HAVE SEVERAL ESCAPE
TECHNIQUES.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE HAVE WHAT
EVERYONE WOULD WANT IF THEY WERE
NEAR QUICKSAND, IS A VINE.
SECONDLY, WE HAVE A WALKING
STICK, WHICH IS OFTEN
RECOMMENDED IN THE LITERATURE
WE'VE READ ABOUT QUICKSAND AS A
HELPFUL TOOL FOR GETTING OUT OF
QUICKSAND.
AND THIRD IS A BAR, WHICH WE CAN
THROW ACROSS THE TOP OF THE
TANK, WHICH I SHOULD BE ABLE TO
HOLD ON TO IN CASE I GET REALLY
DESPERATE.
AT THAT POINT, I'LL BE MAKING
THOSE SOUNDS THAT YOU JUST DON'T
MAKE WHEN YOU'RE KIDDING.
>> WORST-CASE SCENARIO IS THAT
ADAM DIES, AND...OF COURSE, WE
DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
I'D HATE TO HAVE TO HUNT FOR
ANOTHER CO-HOST.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT ALL THE
PRECAUTIONS THAT WE CAN THINK OF
REASONABLY TO HAVE ON THIS.
AND I'M FAIRLY SURE THAT HE'LL
BE OKAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
>> THE PITH HELMET IS ALWAYS A
GOOD TECHNIQUE FOR FINDING
SOMEONE WHO HAS DROWNED IN
QUICKSAND BECAUSE IT WILL BE
FLOATING ON THE SURFACE THERE.
AH, LOOK, IT'S A WHITE, SANDY
BEACH.
I DON'T FEEL ANY DANGER AT ALL.
>> Narrator: YOU WILL, ADAM.
YOU WILL.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
THE PUMP'S SWITCHED ON.
WATER BEGINS TO RISE THROUGH THE
SAND.
AS LIQUEFACTION OCCURS, ADAM
GETS THAT SINKING FEELING.
>> YOU KNOW, IT FEELS MORE
DANGEROUS NOW THAN I THOUGHT.
WHOA!
WHOO! THAT'S COLD!
WELL, I STARTED GOING DOWN
REALLY SLOWLY.
THEN, WHEN THE WATER GOT UP TO
MY CHEST IN THE SAND AND WATER
MIXTURE, I KIND OF FELT WHERE I
HIT MY BUOYANT POINT, WHICH
IS JUST PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT
HERE.
NOW WE'VE TURNED THE PUMP OFF,
AND I'LL TELL YOU, I'M NOT GONNA
BE ABLE TO GET BACK OUT OF HERE
UNTIL WE TURN THE PUMP BACK ON.
>> Narrator: ADAM IS FAR LESS
DENSE THAN THE QUICKSAND,
AND SO HE'S SUSPENDED.
>> I THINK WE'VE CREATED A VERY
REALISTIC SCENARIO FOR
WORST-CASE SCENARIO QUICKSAND.
>> DROWN, YOU ***.
>> WE'RE USING INCREDIBLY FINE
SAND USUALLY CALLED SUGAR SAND.
WE'VE GOT WATER BUBBLING UP
THROUGH IT LIKE AN ARTISAN WELL.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE GET IT
WORKING, WOULD DEFINITELY GO
DOWN.
I GOT ONE LEG, ALMOST.
THIS VINE IS GREAT, ACTUALLY.
OH, MY GOSH.
>> Narrator: NOW IT'S JAMIE'S
TURN IN THE TANK.
>> THAT'S AMAZING.
THIS IS JUST SO BUOYANT.
I'M TOTALLY FLOATING HERE.
AND I'M NOT TOUCHING THE BOTTOM.
SO LOOK AT THE BUOYANCY ON THAT.
I'M LIKE A PIECE OF STYROFOAM IN
HERE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
THIS IS MORE FUN THAN SHOULD BE
ALLOWED.
ALL RIGHT.
WHAT IS OUR FINAL VERDICT ON
MOVIE-STYLE KILLER QUICKSAND?
>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE,
AND EVEN ANIMALS, HAVE DIED IN
QUICKSAND.
BUT IT'S USUALLY BECAUSE OF
EXPOSURE OF SOME SORT, LIKE
DEHYDRATION, YOU KNOW.
THEY WERE NO LONGER CAPABLE OF
EXTRACTING THEMSELVES, SO THEY
STAYED THERE TILL THEY DIED.
>> AND THE ELEMENTS GOT TO THEM.
SO IT'S NOT REALLY LIKE THE
QUICKSAND DRAGGED THEM UNDER
SLOWLY LIKE WE SEE IN THE MOVIES
AND THEN DROWNED THEM.
>> NO.
IN FACT, YOU'RE QUITE BUOYANT
BECAUSE THE QUICKSAND IS SORT OF
A MIXTURE OF SAND AND WATER THAT
IS QUITE HEAVY, AND YOU FLOAT
LIKE A CORK ON IT.
THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS
JUST LAY ON YOUR BACK AND YOU'RE
GONNA BOB AROUND FAIRLY HIGH UP
IN IT, AND THEN, OF COURSE, USE
THE VINE OR THE WALKING STICK OR
WHATEVER HAPPENS TO BE HANDY TO
TRY AND GENTLY PULL YOURSELF OUT
OF IT.
>> SO THE "MYTHBUSTERS'" FINAL
WORD ON HOLLYWOOD-STYLE KILLER
QUICKSAND -- CONFIRMED,
PLAUSIBLE, OR BUSTED?
>> SURPRISED YOU EVEN HAVE TO
ASK.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY BUSTED.
NO SUCH THING.
>> I AGREE. COMPLETELY BUSTED.