OBOGS Emergency

[KewlerMouh]

Good day fellow Bug Drivers!

 

I suffocated twice because of loosing the OBOGS System due battle damage.

 

Both times after the hit I got the plane below 10000 feet, but the screen still kept graying out until my virtual me lost concience.

 

 

Following the NATOPS emergency procedure, besides descending to safe altitude, you should turn of the OBOGS system and pull the "blue ring" for emergency oxygen supply. I guess this ominous ring is somewhere on the harness and out of reach for us?

 

 

Does anybody now the prober actions for survival?

 

Last time it occured 2 days ago during DCE Campaign "Hornet over PG", got hit by a Rapier sam after egressing from a strike.

 

Thanks!

Best Regards from Austria

[bfr]

I suspect the whole obogs thing is a bit buggy anyway. I completed a mission the other day, landed in Dubai taxied off the runway and started sitting things down. After killing the engines and opening the canopy I switched the oxygen systems off. I then proceeded to start blacking out until I quickly turned the oxygen systems back on.

[M1Combat]

"After killing the engines and opening the canopy I switched the oxygen systems off. I then proceeded to start blacking out until I quickly turned the oxygen systems back on."

 

 

Hmm... isn't there a binding to take off the mask? I seem to recall a thread about this subject before.

[Nooch]

You are not alone KewlerMouh, I had this issue as well. I guess all we can do is wait till it gets fixed.

[bfr]

"After killing the engines and opening the canopy I switched the oxygen systems off. I then proceeded to start blacking out until I quickly turned the oxygen systems back on."

 

 

Hmm... isn't there a binding to take off the mask? I seem to recall a thread about this subject before.

 

I wasn't aware of that. I shall have a look later. Cheers.

[bfr]

There's no binding. The previous threads you read were about the absurdity of a pilot who is smart enough to get through 4 years of college, OCS and a two year Naval aviation strike training pipeline to get to the fleet (and a deployment), yet is somehow dumb enough to allow himself to suffocate in a cockpit on the ground with the canopy up and open.

 

Indeed! I expect its not a tough fix (i've flown planes in P3D/FSX that successfully factor in altitude to whether the pilot can breathe without oxygen systems available or not) but also probably just down near the bottom of priorities.

 

On a similar note, the same flight I had the breathing on the ground issue i'd previously lost one of the generators to ground fire. The effect of this was all the MFDs and HUD totally froze (no buttons worked, the displays were stuck on what they showed at point of failure). No idea how realistic this is as I would've expected them just to go blank rather than fail in the manner that they did. Got down OK with a mix of the analogue backup instruments and the seat of my pants.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Indeed! I expect its not a tough fix (i've flown planes in P3D/FSX that successfully factor in altitude to whether the pilot can breathe without oxygen systems available or not) but also probably just down near the bottom of priorities.

 

On a similar note, the same flight I had the breathing on the ground issue i'd previously lost one of the generators to ground fire. The effect of this was all the MFDs and HUD totally froze (no buttons worked, the displays were stuck on what they showed at point of failure). No idea how realistic this is as I would've expected them just to go blank rather than fail in the manner that they did. Got down OK with a mix of the analogue backup instruments and the seat of my pants.

 

One generator can support the entire electrical load IIRC so I doubt that was the problem. It sounds like a mission computer (MC1 I think) failure to me.

[bfr]

One generator can support the entire electrical load IIRC so I doubt that was the problem. It sounds like a mission computer (MC1 I think) failure to me.

 

You could well be right. As the panels froze then the only failure indicators available to tell me what was broke were the warning lights on the RH vertical panel.

[prof_laser]

Fun fact: Do a cold and dark startup, and while still on the ground simply turn down the oxygen flow dial. Blackout within 20 seconds.

[Rennes]

You could well be right. As the panels froze then the only failure indicators available to tell me what was broke were the warning lights on the RH vertical panel.

 

I had the same thing happen to me on a mission a week or so ago. While someone else lead me back toward the carrier, I started troubleshooting. I found turning off MC1 got my hud working again, I still had no NAV info or anything but it at least got me the pitch ladder and velocity vector back. That and the AOA indicator on the side of the hud was enough that I was able to get back on the boat.

[Hammer1-1]

I nailed someone on the taxiway a few days ago and promptly suffocated on the ramp. I think the OBOGS isnt working properly anyways...

[Banman]

I have the OBOGS mapped to a switch on my HOTAS. Twice I've sustained damage and the screen started to go blurry. I quickly disabled the OBOGS switch and it got clear again. I was told the O2 system gets damaged and basically disabling it takes the mask off you face so your do not suffocate. It worked for me.

Edited August 24, 2019 by Banman

[ZnarF]

I suppose the most easy and credible solution would be to think that putting on the OBOGS switch means technicaly "Pilot puts the mask, and the O2 system is on", and putting it off means of course "The O2 systeme is turned off, and pilot takes off his mask" ? (So no need for additionnal key for mask on/off, nor automatic removal of the mask)

[grunf]

I like the way oxygen is implemented in F-5E, where the pilot will suffer hypoxia only if three conditions are met: high enough altitude, depressurized cockpit and no oxygen supply through the mask.

[Nooch]

I like the way oxygen is implemented in F-5E, where the pilot will suffer hypoxia only if three conditions are met: high enough altitude, depressurized cockpit and no oxygen supply through the mask.

 

That's the way it should be.

[Dangerman]

Can’t speak for USAF/USN systems but oxy systems in UK jets use a regulator that is selected to either 100% or airmix. Airmix introduces more oxygen as cabin alt is increased.. on the ground and at low altitudes you are breathing ambient air (via the regulator) unless 100% is selected No extra oxygen is introduced because it is not needed. If LOX or OBOGS .. or gaseous oxy is U/S or empty then hypoxia will get you as cabin alt increases. As cabin altitude increases and the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, you end up with 100% oxy, whether you selected it or not because the airmix regulator gives it to you.

 

Rule of thumb is “half plus 2” for your expected cabin alt for a serviceable jet. So alt of 30000 feet you can expect a cabin alt of *around* 17000 feet. As altitude increases an over pressure of 100%oxy (depending in cabin alt) is introduced to ensure you get the airmix or oxy from the regulator and mask assembly and not the cabin environment. This continues to a point where you are pressure breathing with oxy forced into your airway when you open your mouth.

 

You can find yourself suddenly breathing overpressured positive pressure 100% oxygen if you take the jet as high as you dare and inadvertently flame out both engines thus losing pressurisation and cabin alt rises to aircraft alt.... allegedly.

[Hammer1-1]

You shouldnt be able to die of hypoxia while sitting on the ground if the OBOGS goes out.