Decompression Flashcards
What’s decompression?
When there’s an air leak within the cabin or pressurisation fails and the cabin pressure exceeds 5-7000 feet
Why is it important to get oxygen straight away?
Hypoxia- Hypoxia is where the brain is starved from oxygen due to low levels of oxygen
When is the aircraft pressurised?
When flying above 10,000 feet
Give information about decompression grills in the cabin.
They must not be covered.
Economy and Prem- along the floor
Upper- on the side
What did the decompression grills do?
They help balance pressure to prevent cabin floor from falling into the hold in a decompression
Give the types of decompression
-Slow decompression
-Rapid/explosive decompression
Give some information on slow decompression.
Causes- small cracks in windows or fuselage,
Damaged windows/door seals
Signs - appearance of oxygen masks, people yawning and popping ears on mass
Euphoria- side effect of hypoxia, false sense of well being - drunk effect - must get on oxygen immediately
Why in some cases slow decompression worse?
It can be worse as you don’t realise hypoxia straight away
Give the time frames and feet of useful consciousness in a decompression.
30,000 feet- 1-2 minutes
35,000 feet- 30-50 seconds
40,000 feet - 18 seconds
What’s the time frame for pressure to equalise in a rapid decompression?
It takes between 1-10 seconds for pressure to equalise
What’s the time frame for pressure to equalise in an explosive decompression?
It takes less than one second for pressure to equalise
What type/s of decompression will occur at higher altitudes?
Rapid and explosive decompression
What is the effect on airbus during decompression on an Airbus you will also need to reassure the customers about?
A burning smell- this is due to the chemical oxygen generator which may cause the cabin to become warm and have a burning smell
What are the commands you need to shout during a decompression to the customers?
-Stay calm
-Mask must be covering nose and mouth
-Seat belt low and tight
- Fit your own mask before helping others
What’s the length you will need to time?
60 seconds from when masks drop
Which cabin crew member goes to check on the flight crew after the 60 seconds?
The cc member closest to the flight deck
What must you do with the cart if doing a service and a decompression occurs?
Wedge the car between the seats, place break on if possible, get a customer to hold it while you fit your mask
What must you get before going into the flight deck?
The portable oxygen mask and type in emergency code
Once cabin crew member is in the flight deck and the flight crew is okay what PA will you hear?
Cabin crew prepare for emergency decent
What is an emergency decent?
An emergency decent is where the plane will drop to 10,000 feet or below so that you are able to breathe un aided
How do you know when it is safe to get up and walk around and what must you do?
You will hear the PA “FSM to inter phone”. Once you hear this get up stow any carts or items away safely and check toilets and crew rest for anyone. You then must turn off all the gally electrics. Then go through the cabin offer blankets to customers if necessary and ensure everyone is okay.
What may you experience during an emergency decent?
Changes in noise level and vibration due to increased wind noise, slowing down sensation and floor angle could become very steep depending on level of decent
