Will a FlareGun Operate Under Water?

Published on March 3, 2018
Duration: 9:12

This video tests the operational limits of an Orion 12-gauge flare gun underwater. While a fully submerged attempt failed due to water resistance affecting hammer momentum, the flare successfully fired when only the muzzle was submerged, demonstrating a specific operational capability. The experiment highlights the importance of understanding equipment limitations in extreme conditions.

Quick Summary

An Orion 12-gauge flare gun was tested underwater. While a fully submerged attempt failed due to water resistance impeding the hammer, it successfully fired when only the muzzle was underwater, demonstrating partial submersion capability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Testing Flare Gun Underwater
  2. 01:40Experimental Setup: Tank and Remote Firing
  3. 03:20First Underwater Attempt: Failure Analysis
  4. 04:50Second Attempt: Muzzle Submerged Test
  5. 06:45Successful Fire & Tank Shattering

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a flare gun be fired underwater?

A fully submerged Orion 12-gauge flare gun failed to fire due to water resistance hindering the hammer's momentum. However, it successfully fired when only the muzzle was submerged, indicating partial submersion is possible under specific conditions.

Why did the flare gun fail when fully underwater?

The flare gun likely failed because the water's resistance slowed the hammer's strike on the primer. Sufficient momentum is required for ignition, and the water acted as a significant dampener, preventing the necessary force.

Under what conditions can a flare gun fire underwater?

An Orion 12-gauge flare gun successfully fired when its muzzle was submerged about two inches underwater, as long as the trigger and firing mechanism remained above the water line. This suggests water resistance is the primary limiting factor.

What safety precautions were taken during the underwater flare gun test?

For safety, the experimenter used a remote string to fire the flare gun from a distance. This prevented the need for direct proximity during the potentially hazardous underwater firing attempt.

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