metaphor from earlier the air bags in this case and maybe in every case don t work. more specifically, they found air bags work unless there s a car crash, then they don t work. the forensic analysis of what went wrong in the bp disaster found a big burst of pressure that causes a well blowout can also render the blowout preventer useless. if the shock that causes the initial accident misaligns the rig s pumps and valves, the blowout preventer won t be able to work, won t be able to seal off the pipe, even when used as directed, even when you do everything right. the findings of these studies should be considered and addressed in the design of future blowout preventers and the need for modifying current blowout preventers. the reason there are fears right now about possible nuclear meltdown in japan is because the backup plan there failed, right? an earthquake and tsunami knocked out the power at the reactor. you need that power at all times to cool the radioactive fuel rods. but don