What might occur if a plane window breaks while in flight is explained by an aviation engineer. It is risky
With stringent regulations and procedures aimed at guaranteeing passenger safety, air travel is one of the safest forms of transportation available today. However, have you ever pondered the consequences of a plane window breaking while in flight?
You may initially believe that nothing significant will occur and that only a small amount of air will enter, similar to what occurs when you open a moving car's window. The reality, however, is very different. In a matter of seconds, this could become a serious emergency, and in certain situations, it could be fatal for all passengers.
The tremendous pressure that can result from a broken window
In a recent interview with Jordy Wilde, an aeronautical engineer described the consequences of an airplane window breaking while in flight. The answer was straightforward: things would be worse than you might think.
The first possible outcome is a sharp decrease in cabin pressure. In order for you to breathe comfortably at high altitudes, the air pressure inside an airplane is artificially adjusted. However, all of that air will be forced out if a window breaks, causing a drastic pressure differential that will have an immediate impact on your body.
Although you could try to hold your breath, it would not help, the expert noted. Air would escape your body without you being able to do so because the surrounding pressure would be so low. To put it another way, oxygen would literally start to leak out of your lungs, leaving you short of breath in a matter of seconds.
The temperature inside the aircraft will drop significantly in addition to the pressure drop. In a matter of seconds, you will go from a pleasant temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius to extremely cold temperatures of -25 degrees Celsius or lower.
Because of this, emergency oxygen masks are fitted on airplanes and will automatically activate in such circumstances. It is advised to wear them because, depending on the altitude of the aircraft, you only have roughly 20 seconds before you pass out from a shortage of oxygen.
Notably, holding your breath is one of the worst things you can do in this kind of circumstance. The aerospace expert claims that because the pressure differential can create a pressure barrier inside your body that may impact your lungs and other membranes, it can result in significant internal damage.
Therefore, the only thing you can do to survive a depressurization is to adhere to the crew's instructions and put on your oxygen mask as soon as possible.
Thankfully, commercial aircraft are built with several safety features to guard against this. Nonetheless, these kinds of explanations aid in a better understanding of emergency procedures and the significance of closely adhering to instructions. You never know when you might run into this kind of situation, after all.