A q about oxygen masks

[straitman]

My fault for not clarifying clearly. This is after the captain releases the cabin crew for follow up duties. The aircraft at this point should be 10,000ft or under. Prior to that the crew will don the nearest mask and wedge.

If crew didn't have oxygen above that, and in a explosive decompression at 40,000ft, you would last about 15 seconds before passing out.

Thanks for the clarification. I've done decompression chamber training and it gives some 'interesting' outcomes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The way I understand it is that when the masks drop, they are too far above to be used directly (not that you could), hence the need to pull them down.

i don't know about this and I think it depends on the seat. If you are flying economy you might be right. But if you are flying First or second class then the mask must be long enough so it can be reached from the full flat sleeping position... if you were sitting upright the mask might be long enough to reach you face without needing to pull it down?

 

[milehighclub]

i don't know about this and I think it depends on the seat. If you are flying economy you might be right. But if you are flying First or second class then the mask must be long enough so it can be reached from the full flat sleeping position... if you were sitting upright the mask might be long enough to reach you face without needing to pull it down?

You have to pull it down or you won't get any oxygen.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You have to pull it down or you won't get any oxygen.

agreed. but the very specific issue being discussed was the comment that the masks would be too high to reach your face without pulling them down anyway. Which i think might be right for economy travel. But if you were sitting in First class, rather than lying down, the mask might present itself at a much lower (ie face) level (although you'd get no oxygen without pulling it)

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm sorry but I don't know who Annie is.

Annie17 was on a flight last week that had to use the oxygen masks. She is therefore our most recent expert.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Annie17 was on a flight last week that had to use the oxygen masks. She is therefore our most recent expert.

Ouch! That's one thing I would prefer not to be an expert in.

 

[flyingfan]

Now, don't laugh, but this has seriously occupied my time on recent plane trips. Enquiring minds want to know...

I've wondered as well - it's been the only part of the safety briefings I was curious about but daren't asked. I could count my way to the exits, I reckoned I could twist and throw the emergency hatch out etc etc but I was always worried that I had to pull the oxygen masks with a certain firmness but was scared about ripping and breaking it off in my panic.

 

[Annie17]

Hi

Yes I was on that flight, and as someone who is a nervous flyer anyway - this was not what I would call a pleasant experience. However, I am still here, safe on the ground again! As for the question of oxygen masks - can I just say that it never entered my mind about pulling on anything - the shock of the announcement 'prepare for rapid decent' immediately followed by 150 oxygen masks dropping out at the exact same time...well, we just all put them on and kept breathing. I held mine on with one hand while reaching through to the seat behind me to hold the hand of one of my daughters. It didn't seem to matter whether you pulled to start the flow or not - they just worked.

 

[Annie17]

I actually think that the force of them dropping out of the ceiling might even be enough to start the flow. And they are actually quite long, dropping pretty much right in front of your face. Can I attach a photo here to show you? I'm a little technically challenged so if someone can tell me how, I will.

 

[JessicaTam]

I actually think that the force of them dropping out of the ceiling might even be enough to start the flow.

Thank you for sharing what must have been a rather harrowing experience.

 

[Annie17]

Thank you for sharing what must have been a rather harrowing experience.

Thanks Jessica! Very relieved it all turned out so well!! We weren't so sure for a while...

 

[harvyk]

I actually think that the force of them dropping out of the ceiling might even be enough to start the flow. And they are actually quite long, dropping pretty much right in front of your face. Can I attach a photo here to show you? I'm a little technically challenged so if someone can tell me how, I will.

When you click on reply the text box has an insert image button 3rd from the right, click on select file and click on the photo you wish to select.

 

[Annie17]

When you click on reply the text box has an insert image button 3rd from the right, click on select file and click on the photo you wish to select.

The yellow masks you can see aren't in use - so I guess they do pull down a little when you go to use them - but I don't recall pulling them down as such - and as far as I know, nobody had any issues with any becoming detached.

 

[jetlagger]

View attachment 13200

The yellow masks you can see aren't in use - so I guess they do pull down a little when you go to use them - but I don't recall pulling them down as such - and as far as I know, nobody had any issues with any becoming detached.

Thanks for sharing with us.. Certainly clarifies elements of curiosity.

 

[Annie17]

Thanks for sharing with us.. Certainly clarifies elements of curiosity.

You're very welcome - I joined to see if anyone had information on what actually happened on QF974 (apart from the obvious depressurisation that we know about). I have 3 more flights this year and am hoping that knowledge may help me overcome my fear.

 

[Pollywaffle]

View attachment 13200

The yellow masks you can see aren't in use - so I guess they do pull down a little when you go to use them - but I don't recall pulling them down as such - and as far as I know, nobody had any issues with any becoming detached.

Thanks, Annie.

Can I asked what happened when they were no longer needed? Do the flight attendants manually pack them back up into their hiding place?

 

[Annie17]

Thanks, Annie.

Can I asked what happened when they were no longer needed? Do the flight attendants manually pack them back up into their hiding place?

No, they stay down - people were still using them even when we reached 10,000 feet, not necessarily for oxygen but I guess to stop the panic and try to calm themselves. According to the flight crew they take forever to pack up as it's all done by hand, one by one!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have 3 more flights this year and am hoping that knowledge may help me overcome my fear.

well... you experienced what might be considered a fairly frightening situation. But as you saw, the emergency systems worked well, the pilots responded appropriately, and the crew also did their thing. Emergencies are rare, but you should take comfort knowing that aircraft are resilient, and procedures are in place to make sure you get to the ground safely! perhaps this might give you confidence that even if things do go wrong, that you will be ok! (thankfully emergencies of an even more serious nature are extremely rare!)

thanks for coming to AFF to share your experience

 

[The Rok]

I'm guessing they would have to be inspected for damage and then cleaned of germs before being put back up.

 

[milehighclub]

On the 737/767/A330, if you do not pull the mask down you will not get any oxygen. Pulling any one mask starts the chemical oxygen generator. Also, those masks aren't worth wearing after 10 minutes. The supply of oxygen will be depleted by then (and enough time to get you to a safe breathing level)

The generators would have to be replaced on the ground by engineers.