Been reading Jon Krakauer's book "Into Thin Air" about a major problem on an Everest expedition.
As I recall, even after acclimitization to the altitude, above some level (26,000' I think), your body starts consuming itself because of the low oxygen levels -- you start losing fat and muscle tissue and other stuff. Sounds like a whole bunch of no-fun.
Not to be morbid, but a sudden decompression might not be a bad way to go out -- a moment or two of panic, a realization that all the pretty women are now attached to men other than yourself, and then lights out.
Then you wake up in the line at the Pearly Gates, and St. Peter says, "go away, mate, your name is on Draper's list"
Last edited by john_tullamarine; 17th August 2005 at 13:50.