Can humans breathe at 36000 feet?

Today, all modern jet airliners have pressurized cabins that act like a flying pressure chamber to keep the air pressure at a comfortable level so that we can breathe normally at altitudes of around 36,000 feet. Should the cabin lose pressurization, oxygen masks deploy from above your head.



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At the normal cruising altitude of an airplane (35,000 ft., or 10.650 m) atmospheric pressure drops to 3.8 psi -or 26% of the sea level pressure, therefore the quantity of oxygen in the air is also 26% of that found at sea level. This reduced oxygen content will lead to death due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

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An elevation of about 20,000 feet above sea level is the maximum height at which sufficient oxygen exists in the air to sustain us.

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For operations conducted under Parts 121 and 135, the flight crew must use oxygen when cabin altitudes are above 10,000 up to 12,000 feet after 30 minutes and at all times when above 12,000 feet. The general aviation pilot flying an unpressurized airplane will not normally operate above 25,000 feet.

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At 40,000 feet its only 2.72 PSI. If outside air gets into the mask and is breathed, it contains one-fifth (20 percent) of the oxygen necessary for survival at 40,000 feet. The time of useful consciousness on ambient air only at 40,000 feet is 15 to 20 seconds.

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As it turns out, along with being thinner, research suggests people worldwide who live at high altitudes have a lower incidence of both cancer and heart disease than folks who live closer to sea level. Note that these studies were done decades ago. We've known the health advantages of high altitude for a long time.

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For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL.

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