Hoof Hearted

If the eros quick don masks are certified to 41,000', what good would it do if you flew above FL410. For instance, The Eros mask is certified to 41,000', many aircraft have these installed and fly above FL410, such as B757, Gulfstreams, Westwinds, Astra's etc. If you were cruising at say FL450, would you be playing Russian roulette or am I missing something.
Any help would be appreciated...

III Corps

Some quick checks shows that there are various models of masks and some are certified for higher altitudes. Thus.. if one is to be safe and legal, you would have to have a mask that is certified for the max altitude you would fly at.

Not Russian roulette but just not wise and probably not legal.

__________________
Simple solutions are seldom either.

FlyerJosh

Fact is, that above about 35,000, regardless of the type of mask you wear, you're playing russian roulette. Given considerations towards time of useful consciousness, any high altitude flying (regardless of type mask) is potentially dangerous.

They key thing to point out is risk management. Fortunately, the odds of having a decompression are low, in fact, the most likely reason for pressurization problems any more (modern equipment) are pilot error as opposed to mechanical failure. Based on the odds, we accept that risk.

Second, the altitude rating for masks is for continuous use. I don't know about you, but if I have a decompression at FL450, I'm not going to stay there and suck O2... I'm coming down, and in a hurry.

Hoof Hearted

Thanks, I misunderstood the meaning of what certified stands for and how it's applied.

FlyerJosh

No problem. FWIW, although the crew O2 masks are certified to higher altitudes, the little drop down masks in the back are certified for much lower. 25,000 IIRC.