Why Is It Difficult to Survive Falling into a Plunge Pool? — A Scientific Dissection of the Underwater World of Plunge Pools

The breathtaking views of majestic waterfalls attract travelers from all over the world, but the plunge pools are often referred to as "nature's ultimate trap." Inside these plunge pools, water that falls vertically crashes into the riverbed, creating a powerful recirculation flow that reverses and returns to the surface, continuously engulfing anything like a "washing machine." The frothy water contains a large amount of air, reducing buoyancy by 40-60%, making it difficult to surface without a life jacket. Additionally, cold water shock, injuries from collisions, panic and oxygen deprivation in zero-visibility underwater conditions, all contribute to the high risk for rescuers, resulting in an extremely high mortality rate. This article will dissect the "reasons for inescapability" from the perspectives of hydraulics, medicine, and rescue techniques, and provide a detailed explanation of over 10,000 characters on recent accident cases in Japan and abroad, reactions on social media, and safety measures.