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Fresh Air

Fresh Air

The High Pressure Experiments That Made D-Day

Nov 14, 2025 · 45m

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What happens to the body in the deep sea? You need oxygen to survive, but too much oxygen can be deadly. If you rise to the surface too quickly, nitrogen bubbles can form in your body and kill you. Terry Gross spoke with author and scientist Rachel Lance last year about her research for the military. She used a hyperbaric chamber that mimics what divers and submarines are exposed to. Her book, ‘Chamber Divers,’ is about the scientists whose dangerous experiments about underwater pressure and injury were critical to the success of D-Day. Also, Justin Chang reviews ‘Sirat,’ which he calls one of the most gripping movies of the year. Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair , and subscribe…