Since the results of falling experiments from 12 km. altitude were known from earlier experimentation and indeed descending experiments up to 15 km. [49,200 ft.] without oxygen had been conducted within the scope of this work, falling experiments were begun at an altitude of 14 km. [45,900 ft.], in order not to increase unnecessarily the number of experiments.

[page 20 of original]

The ascent preceded by explosive decompression from 8 to 14 and 15 km. altitude, in which the ascent to 8 km. was made with oxygen and the explosive decompression with continuous flow, followed after 5 to 10 minutes waiting time. After the removal of the oxygen mask directly in connection with the explosive decompression, five knee bends were made during the waiting period of 10 seconds, then descent at free fall speed. During the explosive decompression the oxygen supply was interrupted from the outside. The results of these experiments were (Table 5):

Table 5.—Falling experiments without O2 breathing

UnconsciousnessFrom—Recovery of consciousness
after—after—
30 sec. = 13.2 km.14 km.65 sec. = 9.7 km.
[43,310 ft.][45,900 ft.][31,830 ft.]
28 sec. = 14.3 km.15 km.96 sec. = 7.6 km.
[46,900 ft.][49,200 ft.][24,940 ft.]

The further experiments up to 20 km. [65,600 ft.] altitude were made with the same procedure as those up to 15 km. [49,200 ft.], although without knee bends during the waiting period of 10 seconds, since unconsciousness would have occurred too soon as a result of the knee bends and the experimenters had become convinced that rescue from these altitudes would have to be brought about by abandonment of the aircraft without bodily exertion (catapult seat).

(Table 5—Continued)

UnconsciousnessFrom—Recovery of consciousness
after—after—
32 sec. = 14.7 km.16 km.118 sec. = 6.6 km.
[48,220 ft.][52,500 ft.][21,650 ft.]
27 sec. = 15.9 km.17 km.126 sec. = 6.3 km.
[52,150 ft.][55,800 ft.][20,660 ft.]

[page 21 of original]

UnconsciousnessFrom—Recovery of consciousness
after—after—
23 sec. = 17 km.18 km.156 sec. = 4.6 km.
[55,800 ft.][59,100 ft.][15,090 ft.]
20 sec. = 18.5 km.19 km.173 sec. = 3.7 km.
[60,700 ft.][62,300 ft.][12,140 ft.]
17 sec. = 19.75 km.20 km.178 sec. = 3.2 km.
[61,520 ft.][65,600 ft.][10,500 ft.]
15 sec. = 20.875 km.21 km.1 min., 10 sec. after
[68,490 ft.][68,900 ft.]reaching 0 m.