Explosive decompression by the book

[Bob Gardner]

I'm putting this in a separate post to avoid having it lost in the noise. Please refer to the Airplane Flying Handbook, pages 13-4 and 13-5, where the term "explosive decompression" is used. A partial quote: "Air will rush from the mouth and nose due to the escape of air from the lungs, and may be noticed by some individuals."

I don't write fiction.

Bob Gardner

[Peter Duniho]

"Bob Gardner" > wrote in message
news:ozGIb.712245$Fm2.618036@attbi_s04...
> [...] I don't write fiction.

If I understood the replies to your post correctly, the only complaint was
that you characterized the "explosive decompression" as a descent from
25,000' to sea level, when in fact what happens in an "explosive
decompression" is that the altitude of the *cabin* goes from the cruising
pressurized altitude (around 7-9000' or so) up to the outside pressure
altitude (which in the case of the chamber ride is often 25,000' but of
course could be any arbitrary altitude chosen for the demonstration).

The "ride" in the chamber is from a lower altitude to a higher one, when
demonstrating any kind of decompression, explosive or otherwise. Explosive
happens quickly, non-explosive happens slowly (where normally the
non-explosive decompression simply simulates an unpressurized climb to
altitude).

No one's saying you wrote fiction. Just that you mixed up your words a
little. We know you know what you mean...we just think you might not have
written it. :)

My guess is that you've been staying up too late what with all the holiday
parties and whatnot and that, when you get some sleep and take a moment to
reread what you wrote and think about it, all will be clear to you.

Pete

[John Gaquin]

"Bob Gardner" > wrote in message news:ozGIb.712245

>A partial quote: "Air will rush from the mouth and nose due to the escape
of air from the >lungs, and may be noticed by some individuals."

Yes, OK, I agree with that. I thought you referred to "...sustained burp &
fart..." following rapid decompression, with which I would disagree. My,
my -- the things we wind up discussing! :-)

Enjoy the evening.

JG

[Nosegear]

wrote in :

> On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 16:36:36 -0500, "John Gaquin"
> > wrote:
>
>:
>:"Bob Gardner" > wrote in message news:ozGIb.712245
>:
>:>A partial quote: "Air will rush from the mouth and nose due to the
>:>escape
>:of air from the >lungs, and may be noticed by some individuals."
>:
>:Yes, OK, I agree with that. I thought you referred to "...sustained
>:burp & fart..." following rapid decompression, with which I would
>:disagree. My, my -- the things we wind up discussing! :-)
>
> Scuba divers are told that if they hold their breath on the way up,
> they can rupture a lung and cause an embolism. Don't know if it's
> true, but if it is, the same would apply to a rapid decompression in
> an airplane.

The lung-damage part is true, but couldn't happen in an explosive
decompression situation in an aircraft. The first 10 meters descend in
water will cause an increase of pressure of 1 bar, in the air this
difference is of course just a small factor.

Nosegear

[Mackfly]

>From: Nosegear

>The lung-damage part is true, but couldn't happen in an explosive
>decompression situation in an aircraft. The first 10 meters descend in
>water will cause an increase of pressure of 1 bar, in the air this
>difference is of course just a small factor.

When I took the altitude chamber ride in the Air Force we were told to NOT LOCK
ones throat and try to hold our breath during the decompression. The
instructor said ( of all people to try it) that a flight surgeon had tried to
do so once and it had blown his lungs out of his diaphram. Also in safety
classes we were told that compressed air above 3 PSI could cause ruptures once
inside the body.
As to this aspect and SCUBA. In that training we were told to not even
try to stand up from 3 feet depth holding ones breath. Also gas will excape
from "both" ends during a rapid decompression. Just depends on what you've
been eating and "conditions". The women Air Force members were told to not be
shy and to let'r rip as needed. mac