It is theoretically possible for man to reach as high altitude as he may
wish in an aircraft with a pressure cabin. However, the question must be
settled as to what results or effects the destruction of the pressure
cabin will have upon the human being, who in such cases is exposed in a
few seconds to the low air pressure and thereby to the lack of oxygen,
which is characteristic of high altitude. Of particular practical
interest is the question from what altitudes and by what means the
safest rescue of the crew can be made. In the work at hand, a report is
presented on experiments in which the various possibilities of rescue
were studied under special experimental conditions. Since the urgency of
the solution of the problem was evident, it was necessary, especially
under the given conditions of the experiment, to forego for the time
being the thorough clearing up of purely scientific questions.