What is Aviation Oxygen Mask

An Oxygen Mask is a device that helps transfer breathing oxygen from a storage tank to the lungs. Oral nasal oxygen masks are those that cover the nose and mouth of the person wearing the mask while a full face mask covers the entire face of the person using it. The material used to make the mask is plastic, silicone or rubber.

Aviation Oxygen Mask – A Brief History

Prior to World War I, very little thought was given to the aviator oxygen systems. Some research was done to provide oxygen flasks to balloon pilots that were engaged in the Europe war, but a full fledged air mask was not even conceived.

The first known flight of an aircraft which used an oxygen system was in 1913 by the French aviator George Lagagneux who flew a Niuport biplane to an altitude of 20,014 feet. But the American disregard for aviation masks disappeared only in August 1914 when the new European war was declared. Rapid advances were made in aeronautical technology due to the war which produced faster and powerful airplanes that were able to fly far higher into the atmosphere than thought possible. This immediately let to the need of providing oxygen to pilots and crews to remain alert and be able to function reasonable well. The pilots and crew were suffering from a wide range of symptoms for hypoxia ranging from headache, earache, weak muscular tome and vertigo at altitudes higher than 15,000 feet. All these symptoms were eventually attributed to lack of breathable oxygen at these high altitudes.

During the World War I, Germany was the first nation that recognized and addressed the need of supplement Oxygen at very high altitudes. The first oxygen system out in the aircraft was the compressed gas type contained in iron storage tanks. Soon, these heavy storage tanks were replaced by liquid oxygen generating systems. The German systems were studied very carefully in the United States during the war using the specimens that were recovered from downed German machines and soon similar devices were tested and released in American aircrafts. The aviation masks have come a long way from their humble beginnings. These are state of the art utilities today that are a necessity for every Armed Forces pilots are well as commercial pilots.

Aviation Oxygen Mask

There are 3 different kinds of oxygen masks that are available for the pilots and crews who fly at high altitudes:

• Continuous Flow Masks: These masks provide a continuous flow if oxygen to the person wearing the mask. These masks are equipped with a ‘rebreather’ bag that helps recycle parts of the exhaled air thereby saving oxygen. General aviation aircrafts flying above 12,500 MSL make use these types of masks
• Diluter Demand Masks: These supply oxygen when the person wearing the mask inhales. Hence, an airtight seal is required between the mask and the face of the user. When the user inhales, a demand oxygen regulator opens up a valve and supplies the oxygen that is required at a particular altitude. An increase in the altitude also increases the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the user. These masks are used at altitude as high as 34,000 feet altitude.
• Pressure Demand Masks: These masks also supply oxygen when the person wearing the mask inhales. These masks are used at altitudes higher than 34,000 feet and can force 100 percent oxygen into the lungs of the users. In this case, inhalation is simple because it is forced but the exhalation is a difficult process. The pilots are trained to use these masks in an altitude chamber.

Aviation Passenger Oxygen Mask

Almost all commercial aircrafts have airplane oxygen masks fitted that are uses in emergencies when the pressure in the cabin reduces suddenly. Generally, all commercial aircrafts are pressurized at a maximum cabin altitude of about 8000 feet which makes it possible for the passengers to breathe without oxygen masks. If the pressure falls below a safe level, the passengers can develop hypoxia. In this case, the oxygen masks are automatically released from above the passengers or in front of the passengers from the seats ahead of them and also in the lavatories.

I hope that this article has helped shed light on a little history and the kinds of aviation masks available. If you look up on the Internet, you can actually trace out the evolution of the masks at every step during the various wars across the world. Happy Reading!