Originally Posted by
2bigmellons
I find this demonstration of a decompression at FL450 interesting and alarming.
Count how long it takes the prepared gentleman to lose consciousness.
SNIP VIDEO
At height say above 35,000 ft as the emergency oxygen masks are not pressurized they will not prevent loss of consciousness. However, the availability of higher percentage oxygen in the low pressure air being breathed means that the pax wearing masks will come round faster when back to 10,000ft and have less chance of brain damage. This is why an emergency descent to 10,000ft is required. Do not expect anyone in the cabin to be reliably responsive above that altitude.