[Robe]

If such depressurization had occurred at high altitude, passengers would have almost certainly fallen instantly unconscious and may have been unaware of the their fate.

Pure BS, Anyone that has been through a high altitude chamber , has been exposed to a instant decompression. Mostly from around 20-25 thousand feet.(In the NASA chambers, available to private pilots through the FAA) Military chambers routinely decompress from 30-35 Thousand feet.

Although you only have less then a min (usually 30 sec)to get oxygen before passing out, you are well aware of blowing all the snot out of your head (Sorry to be so graphic , but that's the truth

[sionnsar]

Although you only have less then a min (usually 30 sec)to get oxygen before passing out, you are well aware of blowing all the snot out of your head (Sorry to be so graphic , but that's the truth

LOL, I've wondered what it would feel like. I'm certain it would be nothing like the airline safety videos.

(The funniest was on EgyptAir -- the mask falls down in front of a middle-eastern man and bobs, and his head tracks it for three bobs before reaching for the mask.)

[airdalechief]

I was about ready to refute the “fallen instantly unconscious” part until I read your post.

I’ve been through the pressure chamber many times in my Navy career and have yet to pass out during rapid decompression.

As you said, Pure BS.

[AvOrdVet]

Anyone that has been through a high altitude chamber

Been there, done that... but not an "Explosive Decompression" at 450+knots and below 0 temps... You would most certainly die immediately... Hopefully.