Decompression

Question 1

What’s decompression?

Answer 1

When there’s an air leak within the cabin or pressurisation fails and the cabin pressure exceeds 5-7000 feet

Question 2

Why is it important to get oxygen straight away?

Answer 2

Hypoxia- Hypoxia is where the brain is starved from oxygen due to low levels of oxygen

Question 3

When is the aircraft pressurised?

Answer 3

When flying above 10,000 feet

Question 4

Give information about decompression grills in the cabin.

Answer 4

They must not be covered.

Economy and Prem- along the floor
Upper- on the side

Question 5

What did the decompression grills do?

Answer 5

They help balance pressure to prevent cabin floor from falling into the hold in a decompression

Question 6

Give the types of decompression

Answer 6

-Slow decompression
-Rapid/explosive decompression

Question 7

Give some information on slow decompression.

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Why in some cases slow decompression worse?

Answer 8

It can be worse as you don’t realise hypoxia straight away

Question 9

Give the time frames and feet of useful consciousness in a decompression.

Answer 9

30,000 feet- 1-2 minutes
35,000 feet- 30-50 seconds
40,000 feet - 18 seconds

Question 10

What’s the time frame for pressure to equalise in a rapid decompression?

Answer 10

It takes between 1-10 seconds for pressure to equalise

Question 11

What’s the time frame for pressure to equalise in an explosive decompression?

Answer 11

It takes less than one second for pressure to equalise

Question 12

What type/s of decompression will occur at higher altitudes?

Answer 12

Rapid and explosive decompression

Question 13

What is the effect on airbus during decompression on an Airbus you will also need to reassure the customers about?

Answer 13

A burning smell- this is due to the chemical oxygen generator which may cause the cabin to become warm and have a burning smell

Question 14

What are the commands you need to shout during a decompression to the customers?

Answer 14

-Stay calm
-Mask must be covering nose and mouth
-Seat belt low and tight
- Fit your own mask before helping others

Question 15

What’s the length you will need to time?

Answer 15

60 seconds from when masks drop

Question 16

Which cabin crew member goes to check on the flight crew after the 60 seconds?

Answer 16

The cc member closest to the flight deck

Question 17

What must you do with the cart if doing a service and a decompression occurs?

Answer 17

Wedge the car between the seats, place break on if possible, get a customer to hold it while you fit your mask

Question 18

What must you get before going into the flight deck?

Answer 18

The portable oxygen mask and type in emergency code

Question 19

Once cabin crew member is in the flight deck and the flight crew is okay what PA will you hear?

Answer 19

Cabin crew prepare for emergency decent

Question 20

What is an emergency decent?

Answer 20

An emergency decent is where the plane will drop to 10,000 feet or below so that you are able to breathe un aided

Question 21

How do you know when it is safe to get up and walk around and what must you do?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What may you experience during an emergency decent?

Answer 22

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