[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 level). | Reacts for the first time to vocal 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:
Table 3