A rapid decompression occurs within how long?

A rapid decompression occurs within how long?

• A. 10 seconds or longer
• B. 1 - 10 seconds
• C. Less than 1 second
• D. 5 seconds

Answer: (B)

When a rapid decompression occurs, the cabin pressure drops in seconds, not instantly. In aviation safety, explosive decompression is essentially instantaneous (less than a second), gradual decompression takes longer than about ten seconds, and rapid decompression spans roughly one to ten seconds. That’s why the best answer is the 1–10 seconds range: it matches the typical onset window for rapid decompression, signaling a sudden but not instantaneous loss of pressure that requires immediate crew action and oxygen masking.

When a rapid decompression occurs, the cabin pressure drops in seconds, not instantly. In aviation safety, explosive decompression is essentially instantaneous (less than a second), gradual decompression takes longer than about ten seconds, and rapid decompression spans roughly one to ten seconds. That’s why the best answer is the 1–10 seconds range: it matches the typical onset window for rapid decompression, signaling a sudden but not instantaneous loss of pressure that requires immediate crew action and oxygen masking.