[jlgreco]

Diving comparisons can actually give us real-world examples of Hollywood style decompression too. In real life human bodies don't explode when decompressed in space, but if you depressurize a diving bell on the surface then all bets are off: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byford_Dolphin#Diving_bell_acci...

1atm->0atm won't do it, but apparently 9atm->1atm can.

[scott_s]

Mythbusters did something similar. They tested what would happen to a diver if you cut the hose in one of those old-school diving suits that had a hose connecting them to the surface. It's not pretty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEY3fN4N3D8

Pressure differentials are powerful.

[eksith]

That's one of the most horrifying things I've ever read. I thank you for the lesson; not so much for the nightmares.