Regarding CanukAmock's sig pic, if you were on a plane and the oxygen

[DS1]

masks dropped down - would you even bother taking them?



At that point, I think you're fucked no matter what you do. You'll either live or die, no mask is going to sway the balance of those odds...

[hlthe2b]

1. Well, I think survival instinct would kick in, so yes...

But, I think back to those flights I took with my beloved dogs in the cargo hold. That would be sheer hell on earth-- to think I could do nothing for them at such a time, nor even be with them in their terror. I know there are many dog and other pet lovers that will understand what I am saying.

[DS1]

2. Yeah, my cat would be onboard with me

to experience the terror in his cat carrier under the seat in front of me.

[Ready4Change]

7. Animals are surprisingly good at surviving.

If there's a chance, animals are good at taking it. Many people have died trying to re-enter a flaming house to save their pet, not realizing the pet has already gotten out and is hidding under a bush somewhere. If there is an opening they'll use it. (I used to work with firemen/women, and we'd talk about bits of their "real" job.)

In a wreck, if you have access to your pets carrier the best you can do for them AND yourself, if you insist, is to open their carrier once all motion has stopped. They are low to the ground (helps them to breath and see) fast and mobile. They'll beat most people out of harms way. Now get yourself out so they won't be ownerless, will ya?

In a hold you can't reach them. Hopefully their carrier will break/tear open in the wreck and they'll get out. Cna't offer much more helpful thoughts than that.

[hlthe2b]

21. I appreciate the sentiment... and yes, given a chance,

animals will do the smart thing....

I remember a newspaper article a few years ago that detailed the aftermath of a large kennel that caught on fire--one with both indoor and outdoor runs. Well, apparently the resident "escape artist"-- a Malamute or Husky (can't remember) not only managed to get his doubly secured latch open on his kennel, but ran up and down opening the latches to dozens of outdoor kennels and led about a 20 larger dogs out over the fence before the fire consumed the place. So, tragic, but a little good news in the story as well....

[Ready4Change]

3. There have been some wrecks where a few moments have made the difference

Of course, your odds are very low if the plane falls apart in mid air. But most aircraft accidents happen after less severe failures, and the pilots are often TRYING to land. If they come close, the rest is up to you.

Never give up.

Read reports of fire survivals and you'll find many examples where just a few seconds of breath made the difference between living and dying. This includes some aircraft wrecks. Survivors say the biggest obstacles they faced were reduced visibilities and unbreathable air.

Do all you can to stay conscious. That's why you put the mask on yourself before your child. You can't help them if you aren't conscious.

If the plane is moving, stay seatbelted. That improves your chances of being both conscious and able to move once the wreck comes to a halt.

Take note of SEVERAL different exit paths, incase one or more become blocked by wreckage, fire, or crowds. Survivors have mentioned that front exits get block by people heading for the first exit they see, while rear exits are often ignored and open for use.

Take note of what low height isle and seat lighting the aircraft is equipped with. These are there so that, incase of fire, you can drop to the floor and still have something you guide yourself out. What kind of lights are there? Do they point to exits? Are the lights near exits different in color, size or shape?

People have survived by climbing out of holes created by the wreck. They often get cuts from sharp edges, but better that than dead in fire.

These are all things I take note of while flying. Not because I'm paranoid about wrecks. I'm just usually bored and taking mental note of details helps me pass the time. But, should the be a problem, maybe I'll have just that edge that gets me out of trouble, or perhaps allows me to help someone else out as well.

[DS1]

5. Well, my post was in a "Fight Club"esque mode, but

everything you said is true. I also know that a lot of people survive plane wrecks by climbing over the seats in front of them and forcing their way out of the door instead of lining up in the aisle. I also know that is the reason why so many people die in fires, a lack of order creates a jam at the exit, and countless more than expected die because bodies are stuffed through and are jamming the exits. The Rhode Island "Great White" nightclub fire is a perfect example of this. Yet, given the choice, and knowing what I know, I'd be up and over those seats in a heartbeat. It's the Republican in me coming out.

[Ready4Change]

10. WHoops. Sorry. My "taking it too seriously" gene kicked in.

I should have noted this is in the lounge.

To quote an anonomous SouthWest Airline employee "Incase of an accident, stop screaming and grab the mask that will fall out of the ceiling. You may want to wait until your child has fallen unconsious before putting their mask on for them, just for the peace and quiet. I see all you parents knodding in agreement..."

[CanuckAmok]

4. Quoth Tyler Durden:

"The illusion of safety...oxygen gets you high. Suddenly you become euphoric, docile...you accept your fate. It's all right here; emergency water landing at 600 miles per hour, blank faces, calm as Hindu cows."

[DS1]

6. and yet, my lover matcom hated that movie

I don't think we're lovers anymore, I just have to break it to him sometime.

[Ready4Change]

8. Where's that quote from? Book?

I don't know what those airline emergence mask put out, but I suspect it's not pure oxygen. That's very flammable. Few people know it, but pure oxygen can cause many makeups (like lipstick) to spontaneously combust. It would also be quite bad to have around post accident fires.

I suspect its an oxygen/nitrogen mix?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. It's oxygen, created by a chemical reaction in the oxygen cylinder

that starts when you pull the lanyard. But it goes through a breather bag, and the mask isn't airtight, so it isn't entirely pure by the time you breathe it. It will smell funny, like burning cotton, when the chemical reaction starts up, but it's harmless. You will have the mask on for only a few minutes, until the airplane can descend to an altitude where the air pressure is enough to breathe normally.

[name not needed]

13. Or until you hit the mountain...

[Ready4Change]

18. Or get devoured by the alien spaceship.

Haven't seen Fight Club, so I thought I'd create my own disaster. :)

[CanuckAmok]

15. It's from the Fight Club screenplay...

I can't remember if it's in the book or not. I think it probably isn't because in the movie, "Jack" and Tyler have that conversation when they first meet, aboard a commuter plane, while in the book, they meet on a beach.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Put the mask on.

The masks will drop automatically if the pressure in the cabin drops to a certain level (the equivalent if about 14,000-15,000 feet above sea level). It doesn't mean the plane is going to crash; it means only that there's something wrong with the pressurization system. The pilots will begin a rapid descent to about 10,000 feet, where the air pressure is enough for you to breathe normally, and you'll be instructed to take the masks off. So put the mask on and don't panic.

[GCP]

12. I mentioned that the last time we flew

When you watch the safety video, everybody's so fucking calm about pulling down the mask and putting it on.
In reality everybody would be screaming their heads off and wetting their pants as the plane dives toward the earth.

[DS1]

14. Yeah, I think watching your coffee becoming a permanent stain

on the seatback in front of you as you nosedive into the ground would provide a better 'zen' moment than reaching for a stupid mask that probably hasn't been tested since the plane rolled off the assembly line.

[DS1]

16. unless of course, your flight to Paris, packed with teenagers

is shot down by a U.S. Missile Frigate over Long Island, broken in half, and you get to watch the spiralling descent into the ocean with a front row seat.

That would give me reason to not bother with the coffee.

[DS1]

17. one more thing

Oh, have we got a video?

[GCP]

19. No Neil, you hippy, we haven't got a video

:D

[SOteric]

20. You bet.

Smoke inhalation. I like my odds better without the bothersome business of breathing toxic fumes. I'm funny that way.

And yes, that would be after I've shat myself.

[LynneSin]

22. Wait, I just saw that picture last night, that was in the movie Fight Club

In the end when Project Mayhem was going nuts some member who works for the airlines replaced the normal flight instructions with the one listed above