Almost every primary system on a plane is essential for efficient flight. One system I'm going to touch on is the oxygen systems. Aircraft oxygen systems are meant to prevent hypoxia in conjunction with pressurization systems for the crew and passengers. Supplemental oxygen is intended to be used at 12,500 feet to 14,000 feet after 30 minutes of cabin pressure and at altitudes above 14,000 feet use immediately. For the sake of any occupants and their possible physical conditions, pilots are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen when flying at 10,000 feet.
Structural failure, pressurization system malfunction, a negligent crew action, or deliberate crew intervention could become the cause of depressurization of the aircraft. Depending on the altitude, loss of oxygen equipment can be critical no matter what type of aircraft you're flying in. This equipment is the first thing that can prevent hypoxia and carbon monoxide poisoning for those onboard. If this equipment fails, you could rapidly lose your ability to function correctly. Because the effects can be severely impairing, many pilots train to experience what it's like to see a person who could be suffering from hypoxia.
A solution to the loss of oxygen could be one or two things; donning the oxygen mask as soon as possible, or the pilot must make an emergency descent. In uncontrolled depressurization, the pilot should descend to an altitude breathable for the passengers and crew. If loss of pressure happens, the oxygen mask should be on even if it's deliberate, and the crew should have on a mask before depressurization commences.
References:
Loss of Cabin Pressurisation - SKYbrary Aviation Safety (19 Mar. 2018)
Federal Aviation Administration Oxygen Equipment (n.d.) Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/oxygen_equipment.pdf
Comments
Post a Comment