"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
Phil writes:

On top of last week's A340 incident, now an A330 experienced a sudden
depressurization on a shakedown flight. Among the injuries to
passengers were spinal injuries. Sounds like the pilot may have
abruptly dived the aircraft while some passengers were still standing
in the aisle. Or would people pass out so quickly that they fell and
injured themselves?

It depends on the altitude, but at typical cruising altitudes they might
be
conscious for only fifteen to twenty seconds, which might not be long
enough
for them to gather their wits and get to an oxygen mask if they are
standing
and moving about.

It doesn't say what the altitude is, but I would
have thought that people would stay conscious long enough to get to a
seat and use the oxygen mask.

At high altitudes there may not be enough time. That's what FAs always
tell
parents to fasten their own masks before putting masks on their children:
if
they try to fasten their children's masks first, they may pass out before
they
succeed, and then both end up with hypoxia and unconsciousness. I think a
lot
of parents are too stupid to understand this, however.

Pot. Kettle. Black. Must resist...can't stop...ahhhh....