You won’t believe what plane oxygen masks are really connected to
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If you’ve been on a plane before, it’s been explained to you that oxygen masks drop down from the ceiling inside a cabin in the event of an emergency. It's a safety measure we all hope we'll never need to actually use, yet we get handed instructions almost every time we board a plane.
That said, there's a certain amount of comfort in the presence of these oxygen masks—knowing that, if need be, they can keep us alive.
But did you know that oxygen masks are not connected to an air tank?
That's right: a plane’s oxygen masks are connected to something far more interesting and reliable.
As US Physician Assistant in Emergency Medicine Joe Horneman explained in one of his videos, oxygen masks are connected to oxygen generators, otherwise known as 'oxygen candles'.
'You guys know those oxygen masks on aeroplanes? You know the ones that drop down in case of an emergency...Those masks are not connected to an oxygen tank or any kind of air tank at all,' Joe said.
'What they are connected to, I think, is far more interesting and as it turns out, safer and more reliable.'
But if the term ‘oxygen candles’ took you back a little, you're not alone.
On hearing about them for the first time, many people were left scratching their heads or raising their brows. Yet, these ‘candles’ are an incredibly clever and intriguing component of aviation safety.
So, what exactly is an 'oxygen candle’?
Oxygen candles, or chemically bound oxygen (CBO) generators, were originally developed for submarine use.
The air we breathe is only roughly 21 per cent oxygen, so these generators are essential in an emergency situation when cabin pressure drops and the natural oxygen levels are too low for humans to breathe.
According to Joe, the device is ‘able to pack a lot of oxygen in a tiny space because the oxygen is stored as a solid in the form of sodium chlorate.’
‘When you pull the mask down, a firing pin goes off and ignites the primer, which heats up to over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.’
‘Under this extreme heat, sodium chlorate decomposes into mostly oxygen gas and table salt. The oxygen passes through a filter and down the tubing to your mask where you breathe it in.’
‘The device is sometimes called an oxygen candle because it slowly burns up and eventually runs out of oxygen.’
Joe added that the oxygen candles in aeroplanes were designed to ‘last long enough for the pilot to descend to a safe altitude.’
Joe’s video has left millions stunned by the revelation. Social media users’ reactions have been wildly positive, too, with many thanking Joe for the interesting fact.
One social media user excitedly shared, ‘I have wondered about this since I was a kid! Thank you!’
‘How have I never even thought about where the oxygen would come from? I just accepted it would be there and work?’ Another viewer exclaimed.
Some viewers explained that they did not know this. ‘My 11-year-old nephew & I learned something new today. Thank you. You're awesome.’
‘Filed under things I didn’t know and now I do thanks,’ one more shared.
Along with thousands of people finally finding out the truth about oxygen masks, many airline employees chimed in to confirm Joe's statement and shed more light on the matter.
'Most people don’t know the reason you pull the mask toward you is to start the reaction. Often the mask drops down and people skip this important step,' one explained.
'As a flight attendant, we are taught it is really important to let passengers know that they need to pull down on the mask to start the flow of oxygen,' another added.
'I worked with these, they last 20 years in between replacements. Very fun to discharge and not touch because, yes, it gets very hot,' shared another.
And it seems that this is safer than a full-on oxygen tank, too.
'I thought you were going to say it was just to make you think you were safe and they weren’t doing anything,' someone joked.
'I was wondering about that because oxygen tanks can explode,’ another commented.
In the event of an emergency, learning what oxygen masks are actually connected to, and understanding how they work, may be the difference between life and death.
Have you heard of ‘oxygen candles’ before? What are your thoughts on this fun fact? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
That said, there's a certain amount of comfort in the presence of these oxygen masks—knowing that, if need be, they can keep us alive.
But did you know that oxygen masks are not connected to an air tank?
As US Physician Assistant in Emergency Medicine Joe Horneman explained in one of his videos, oxygen masks are connected to oxygen generators, otherwise known as 'oxygen candles'.
'You guys know those oxygen masks on aeroplanes? You know the ones that drop down in case of an emergency...Those masks are not connected to an oxygen tank or any kind of air tank at all,' Joe said.
'What they are connected to, I think, is far more interesting and as it turns out, safer and more reliable.'
Did you know that aeroplanes are not connected to oxygen tanks? Credit: TikTok
But if the term ‘oxygen candles’ took you back a little, you're not alone.
On hearing about them for the first time, many people were left scratching their heads or raising their brows. Yet, these ‘candles’ are an incredibly clever and intriguing component of aviation safety.
So, what exactly is an 'oxygen candle’?
Oxygen candles, or chemically bound oxygen (CBO) generators, were originally developed for submarine use.
The air we breathe is only roughly 21 per cent oxygen, so these generators are essential in an emergency situation when cabin pressure drops and the natural oxygen levels are too low for humans to breathe.
According to Joe, the device is ‘able to pack a lot of oxygen in a tiny space because the oxygen is stored as a solid in the form of sodium chlorate.’
‘When you pull the mask down, a firing pin goes off and ignites the primer, which heats up to over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.’
‘Under this extreme heat, sodium chlorate decomposes into mostly oxygen gas and table salt. The oxygen passes through a filter and down the tubing to your mask where you breathe it in.’
‘The device is sometimes called an oxygen candle because it slowly burns up and eventually runs out of oxygen.’
Joe added that the oxygen candles in aeroplanes were designed to ‘last long enough for the pilot to descend to a safe altitude.’
Joe’s video has left millions stunned by the revelation. Social media users’ reactions have been wildly positive, too, with many thanking Joe for the interesting fact.
One social media user excitedly shared, ‘I have wondered about this since I was a kid! Thank you!’
‘How have I never even thought about where the oxygen would come from? I just accepted it would be there and work?’ Another viewer exclaimed.
Some viewers explained that they did not know this. ‘My 11-year-old nephew & I learned something new today. Thank you. You're awesome.’
‘Filed under things I didn’t know and now I do thanks,’ one more shared.
'Most people don’t know the reason you pull the mask toward you is to start the reaction. Often the mask drops down and people skip this important step,' one explained.
'As a flight attendant, we are taught it is really important to let passengers know that they need to pull down on the mask to start the flow of oxygen,' another added.
Oxygen masks on aeroplanes drop down in case of emergencies. Credit: Shutterstock
'I worked with these, they last 20 years in between replacements. Very fun to discharge and not touch because, yes, it gets very hot,' shared another.
And it seems that this is safer than a full-on oxygen tank, too.
'I thought you were going to say it was just to make you think you were safe and they weren’t doing anything,' someone joked.
'I was wondering about that because oxygen tanks can explode,’ another commented.
Have you heard of ‘oxygen candles’ before? What are your thoughts on this fun fact? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
