Decompression

Question 1

What is a decompression?

Answer 1

A loss of cabin pressure at altitude

Question 2

What are the types of decompression?

Answer 2

Gradual

Sudden

Explosive

Question 3

What is a gradual decompression?

Answer 3

A slow or gradual loss of pressurisation due to a slow leak or an air conditioning failure. The fuselage is intact

Question 4

What is a sudden decompression?

Answer 4

Greater than one and less than ten seconds and caused by structural damage such as collapse of a door or seal, windows or failure of pressurisation equipment

Question 5

What is an explosive decompression?

Answer 5

Takes place in less than a second

Question 6

What are the signs of a gradual decompression?

Answer 6

Slight drop in temperature

Possible sound of air loss

Ear discomfort

Joint pain

Stomach pain due to gas expansion

Question 7

Airbus indications of gradual decompression?

Answer 7

Cabin altitude greater than 10000ft

No smoking and seat belt signs illuminate

Single high chime when exit locator lights illuminate

Cabin lights illuminate to 100% bright

Question 8

Airbus indications of sudden decompression?

Answer 8

Cabin altitude 14000ft

Automatic deployment of oxygen masks from PSU’s

Cabin lighting illuminate to 100%

No smoking and seat belt signs illuminate

An automated PA instructs the use of oxygen masks

Single high chime when exit locator lights illuminate

Question 9

What is the emergency descent PA?

Answer 9

Attention cabin crew, descent descent descent

Question 10

What if you hear the emergency descent PA but no masks deploy?

Answer 10

After three minutes, cabin crew contact flight crew

Question 11

What are the cabin crew actions in a decompression?

Answer 11

Fit
Secure
Advise

Question 12

What is the instruction to advise passengers in a decompression?

Answer 12

Fit oxygen
Fasten seatbelts

Question 13

What is the PA made after levelling out?

Answer 13

Oxygen is no longer required

Question 14

What is the decompression follow-up drill?

Answer 14

Use portable oxygen if necessary

Check the condition of other crew members and passengers

Assess the state of the cabin

Report to the flight crew any cabin crew abnormalities and use of oxygen

Administer first aid if required

Question 15

What is the PA made after levelling out?

Answer 15

Oxygen is no longer required

Question 16

What is hypoxia?

Answer 16

A broadly diminished availability of oxygen to the body tissues due to insufficient oxygen reaching the blood

Question 17

What is the main driver of the breathing rate at sea level?

Answer 17

Carbon dioxide content of the blood

Question 18

What is the main driver of the breathing rate when oxygen is scarce?

Answer 18

Oxygen

Question 19

Time of useful consciousness at 22000 feet

Answer 19

10 minutes

Question 20

Time of useful consciousness at 25000 feet

Answer 20

3-5 minutes

Question 21

Time of useful consciousness at 30000 feet

Answer 21

1-2 minutes

Question 22

Time of useful consciousness at 35000 feet

Answer 22

30 seconds - 1 minute

Question 23

Time of useful consciousness at 40000 feet

Answer 23

15-20 seconds

Question 24

What kind of factors affect the time of useful consciousness?

Answer 24

Altitude

Rate of ascent

Duration of exposure

Physical activity, stress and temperature

Fatigue

Drugs and alcohol

Smoking

Pre-existing conditions

Question 25

Mild hypoxia symptoms?

Answer 25

Fatigue, listlessness and vague distress Feeling of warmth Lack of concentration, reduced performance Dizzy with blurred vision

Question 26

Moderate hypoxia symptoms

Answer 26

Mood swings and confusion Breathlessness Blueness in fingertips and lips Invulnerability Euphoria Tachycardia

Question 27

Severe hypoxia symptoms?

Answer 27

Twitching of limbs Convulsions Blue pallor of skin Loss of consciousness Possibly result in death

Question 28

How should oxygen be given to conscious passengers?

Answer 28

Sitting upright

Question 29

How should oxygen be given to unconscious passengers?

Answer 29

Lying in the recovery position

Question 30

What is the treatment for decompression sickness?

Answer 30

During flight - administer oxygen and advise passengers to reduce physical activity

Question 31

How long should a diver wait before flying?

Answer 31

Total time over two days less than 2 hours - 12 hours wait More than 2 hours - 24 hours wait

Question 32

Airbus - Where are drop down oxygen masks located?

Answer 32

4 above every ABC seat 4 above every DEF seat 2 in each toilet ceiling 2 at each cabin crew seat 2 in each galley

Question 33

Airbus - How are drop down masks deployed?

Answer 33

Automatically - 14000ft cabin altitude Electronically - from the flight deck “PASS OXYGEN” switch Manually - from each unit using the MRT

Question 34

Airbus - how to tell drop down masks have oxygen flowing?

Answer 34

The inline flow indicator will be green

Question 35

Airbus - how long does drop down oxygen last?

Answer 35

15 minutes