Descending experiment │ Unconsciousness │Recovery of consciousness
from 13 km. [42,700 ft.] │ after— │ after—
│ │
Seated (lying during │50″ = 12.4 km. │8′ 12″ = 7.2 km.
unconsciousness) │ │
│ [40,672 ft.]. │ [23,620 ft.].
Seated strapped in │35″ = 12.6 km. │10′ 30″ = 5.85 km.
│ [41,340 ft.]. │ [19,190 ft.].
Suspended │20″ = 12.8 km. │19′ = 1.6 km.
│ [41,980 ft.]. │ [5,250 ft.].
[page 13 of original]
Since in unfavorable cases in these experiments, namely while suspended,
recovery of consciousness did not occur until 1.6 km. [5,250 ft.]
altitude, it had to be concluded that in jumps from altitudes over 13
km. [42,700 ft.], recovery of consciousness would follow only after 0
km., which would mean that in an actual situation the landing would be
made in an unconscious condition. This raised the question of a safe
means of rescue.
Descending experiments were made in larger numbers from 15 km. altitude,
since it became evident that at this altitude the approximate limits for
what was possible in emergencies had already been reached or essentially
surpassed. After an ascent made as rapidly as possible, using oxygen
apparatus with free flow, the mask was removed immediately upon
attaining 15 km. [49,200 ft.] altitude and the descent was begun. Since
the results of these descending experiments were very typical and
especially impressive it is necessary to present one of these
experiments in detail. The record of an experiment is represented as
follows:
15 km. [49,200 ft.] Lets the mask fall, severe altitude
sickness, clonic convulsions.
14.5 km. [47,560 ft.] 30 sec. Opisthotonus.
14.3 km. [46,900 ft.] 45 sec. Arms stretched stiffly forward; sits
up like a dog
(“Pfoetchenstellung”), legs spread
stiffly apart.
13.7 km. [44,950 ft.] 1 min. 20 sec. Suspended in opisthotonus.
13.2 km. [43,310 ft.] 1 min. 50 sec. Agonal convulsive breathing.
12.2 km. [40,030 ft.] 3 min. Dyspnea, hangs limp.
7.2 km. [23,620 ft.] 10 min. Uncoordinated movements with the
extremities.
6 km. [19,690 ft.] 12 min. Clonic convulsions, groaning.
5.5 km. [18,040 ft.] 13 min. Yells loudly.
[page 14 of original]
2.9 km. [9,520 ft.] 18 min. Still yelling, convulses arms and
legs, head sinks forward.
2-0 km. [6,560-0 ft.] 20-24.5 min. Yells spasmodically, grimaces, bites
his tongue.
0 km. Does not respond to speech, gives
the impression of someone who is
completely out of his mind.
5 min. (after reaching ground Reacts for the first time to vocal
level). stimulation.
7 min. Attempts upon command to arise, says
in stereotyped manner: “No,
please”.
9 min. Stands up on command; severe ataxia;
answers to all questions: “Just a
minute”. Tries spasmodically to
recall his birth date.
10 min. Typical stereotypes of attitude and
movement (catatonia); mumbles
number to himself.
11 min. Holds his head turned convulsively
to the right; tries repeatedly to
answer the first question
concerning his birth date.
12 min. Questions of the subject: “May I
slice something?” (Note: In
civilian work he was a
delicatessen clerk.) “May I pant,
will it be all right if I inhale?”
Breathes deeply, then says, “All
right, thank you very much.”
15 min. On being ordered to walk, steps
forward and says: “All right,
thank you very much”.
17 min. Gives his name; says he was born in
1928 (born 1 November 1908).
Experimenter asks: “Where?”
“Something 1928” “Profession?”
“28—1928”.
18 min. “May I inhale?” “Yes.” “I am content
with that.”
25 min. Still the question continues:
“Pant?”
28 min. Sees nothing; runs against open
window sash upon which the sun is
shining, so that large lump is
formed on his forehead; says:
“Excuse me please.” No expression
of pain.
[page 15 of original]
30 min. Knows his name and place of birth.
Upon being asked for the day’s
date: “1 November 1928”. Shivering
of the legs; stupor continues;
cannot be frightened by the report
of a shot. Dark objects are still
not discerned; subject bumps
against them. Is aware of bright
light; knows his profession;
spacially disoriented.
37 min. Reacts to pain stimuli.
40 min. Begins to observe differences. Falls
continually into his previous
speech stereotypes.
50 min. Spacially oriented.
75 min. Still disoriented in time;
retrogressive amnesia over 3 days.
24 hours Normal condition again attained; has
no recollection of the experiment
itself.
The events of the descending experiments from 15 km., as shown here
through this example, repeated themselves in a similar way in all the
rest of the experiments. The average data from 20 experiments with 15
different subjects are as follows: