In Titanic, both Jack and Rose couldn't survive on door

Question

James Cameron tested it and confirmed that Jack wouldn't have lived unless maybe if Rose had given the life jacket to him. Is it true that they really wouldn't have been able to both fit on the door and stay afloat enough in order to not freeze?

Answer 1

According to the tests conducted by National Geographic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jXHFEy-ibc) which shows footage of James Cameron testing the theory/his thought process and MythBusters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zul77skHRHY), both Jack and Rose could have fit on the door and remained afloat. However, hypothermia remained the main issue. Even if they both stayed on the door, parts of their bodies would be submerged, leaving them vulnerable to freezing temperatures and eventual hypothermia. Furthermore, if Rose had given Jack the lifejacket, it could have increased the buoyancy, but in turn expose his vital organs to the cold water, increasing the risk of hypothermia. Other factors like exhaustion, adrenaline, and the ocean current would also impact their survival. So, while they could have fit, survival would still be unlikely due to these harsh conditions.

Comments

I liked how you dove deeper into multiple theories surrounding whether Jack would have survived depending on the circumstances. Addressing how hypothermia would have ruined any chance of Jack's survival and having multiple sources to back your statement makes it easy for me to understand your fact-check.

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they also had around 2-15 minutes to come up with a plan to have them both survive on the door before their muscles started to fail them . In the mythbusters video they took off "Roses" lifevest and put it under the door for more buoyancey which did end up working but it required them to get into the water again. Your fingers would already lose the ability to tie the lifevest around the door at that point. I think it would take a miracle for them to survive, the mythbusters video should have had them try to survive in below freezing water.

https://seagrant.umn.edu/programs/recreation-and-water-safety-program/hypothermia#:~:text=In%20water%20that%20is%20around,about%2040%20to%2050%20F.

Answer 2

I would agree that Jack and Rose would not have both been able to fit on the door. I like that you used variety.com where they quote the director, where he further explains the reasoning on Jacks death. I think that there are also many other websites and interviews going into further depth on the situation and the reasoning on why they both would not have survived in they had equal parts on the door.

Comments

I see where you're coming from in your response claiming that both Jack and Rose would not have physically been able to fit on the door together. However, there are also sources that have tested and found that both of them, would in fact of been able to partly hang on, increasing their chances of survival. In a Variety article titled, "James Cameron Admits There’s One Way ‘Jack Might’ve Lived’ After Scientifically Testing ‘Titanic’ Door Raft: ‘There’s a Lot of Variables’" it is stated that in a test, "Cameron again fit both Jack and Rose on the raft but positioned their bodies so that their upper halves (which includes vital organs) remained out of the water." I was just wondering what sources you're referencing in your claim to come to this conclusion?

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I disagree with the fact that Jack and Rose would not have been able to fit on the door together, as many studies have been proven by very credible institutions such as national geographic. I do agree it would be difficult to fit on the door however i believe they both definitely could have achieved this feat.