So, now I'm to believe that hypoxia is an assumed risk for anyone flying or riding in an aircraft ? Of course it is! That is why heavy-iron types train to recognize developing emergencies and implement positive corrective steps without delay to control them. I am saddened at the loss of an airman (and his wife), but that doesn't eliminate a review of the factual knowledge we have for the benefit of other aviators. What I heard on the ATC recording was not a series of swift, positive control actions in response to an emergency. If my criticism seems harsh, it is not intended to be so...it is just another instance of trying to learn from the mistakes of others so that our aviation careers are as safe as we can possibly make them. We are blessed as pilots to have that responsibility.
As for the point of "having been there," I had access to a high-altitude chamber as a graduate student at a prominent university. Without any grandiosity or disclosure of off-record experiences, I will say I know there is a moment when things are just not right, and shortly after they become very wrong. That's the cross-check of one's status (supported by whatever instrumentation available) that I maintain is a very high priority for an operation in the flight levels. To me, it's like driving over-tired: we know when we should pull-off and nap for a while, and it's our responsibility to do so. Believe me, if I'm at FL280 and I start to feel uncomfortable, I'll be starting down. Period. I want to be in a safe place to sort it out; not waiting for clearance, etc. An emergency is an emergency and it must be managed as such. If anyone has a written procedure for loss of cabin pressure that doesn't begin with an immediate descent, I'd love to see it; I can be convinced if I'm wrong.
Also, iHenning, thanks for your discussion on nitrogen narcosis: interesting physiology, but I'm not aware of anyone getting bent from explosive decompression (unless one loses pressure above "Armstrong's line," the pressure altitude where blood boils at body temperature...but we're not talking nitrogen bubbles/emboli there, really). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that bends require at least 1 atm of "overpressure" which is suddenly released. If I recall, divers operating at less than 30 feet below the surface can ascend without restriction without risk of getting bent. Deeper than that, a diver must follow the "tables" to relieve the compressed nitrogen from tissues at rest stops.
Blessings
