I am about to board a flight. What sequence of events would occur if (by chance) for no apparent reason a window got completely smashed out?
DISCLAIMER – I am not planning on smashing the window on an airplane.
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In flight?
Worth noting that the masks in the cabin aren’t designed to keep you awake. They’re just designed to keep you alive. They’re basically just hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst, which mixes when you pull the mask down. The resulting chemical reaction produces a small amount of oxygen for a short time. This is also why the instructions say to put your own mask on before helping any children; You only have 15-30 seconds of usable consciousness before you pass out, so you need the mask to stay awake long enough to help anyone else. The pilots are the only ones who actually have masks good enough to stay awake, and that’s why they immediately dive to a breathable altitude.
Also, the entire cabin would immediately fog from the sudden pressure and temperature change. We’re talking “can’t even see your fingertips when your arm is outstretched” levels of fog.
And while we’re talking about it, the cabin would suddenly be cold. Like absolutely fucking freezing.
Lastly, your ears will painfully pop, and will likely ring for a while afterwards. The sudden pressure change will feel like you got slapped on the ears.
Concise, interesting. Will pm you a nude.
Can I have one?
You may want to ask more questions first before soliciting that nude.
masks in the cabin aren’t designed to keep you awake. They’re just designed to keep you alive.
In that situation I'm perfectly fine with that. More than perfectly fine, in fact. Sounds like a feature I'd pay extra for (don't tell United).
Tell me more about this immediate fog thing, what causes it and what doesn't it clear quickly?
edit: Wait the masks only produce oxygen for 30s or the breathable oxygen at that altitude is only available for ~30s?
it’s usually -40°c outside when you are in cruise altitude. Open your home window when it’s freezing outside (less than 0°c) can give you an idea why you would have fog in the aircraft until its complete decompression.
The mask can produce "oxygen" for about 15 to 20 min max. You have to be below 10000 feets to be "ok" without mask (it will be like being in a montain at high altitude).
Without putting the mask, you loose conciousness in about 30sec.
Note: this scenario is the worse in term of decompression event. Usually this type of failure would happen during the ascent.
If you hold you breathe would you stay conscious longer?
i don’t think its possible (but i’m not an expert on that) due to the sudden differential of pressure you encounter. I assume it’s like being punched.
Best is to react quickly for yourself, then look and help the people around you...
If plane go quickly under 10000 feets, the unconscious people will wake-up (normally)
You would only be awake for 30s after sudden decompression
That’s exactly what I want in a situation like that, the crew to respond like it’s any other Tuesday.