Which statement correctly matches decompression types to their typical time frames?

Which statement correctly matches decompression types to their typical time frames?

• A. Explosive decompression occurs within 10 seconds or longer
• B. Rapid decompression occurs within 1-10 seconds
• C. Slow/gradual decompression occurs within less than 1 second
• D. Explosive decompression occurs within 1-10 seconds

Answer: (B)

Understanding how fast decompression occurs helps you respond appropriately. Explosive decompression is essentially instantaneous, with the cabin pressure change happening in a fraction of a second to about a second. Slow or gradual decompression develops over more than ten seconds, often taking much longer. Rapid decompression sits in between, typically occurring within 1 to 10 seconds. That specific 1–10 second window is what defines rapid decompression, so the statement that rapid decompression occurs within 1–10 seconds is the best match. The other time frames belong to the other decompression types: explosive decompression is much faster than 1 second, and slow/gradual decompression is slower than 10 seconds.

Understanding how fast decompression occurs helps you respond appropriately. Explosive decompression is essentially instantaneous, with the cabin pressure change happening in a fraction of a second to about a second. Slow or gradual decompression develops over more than ten seconds, often taking much longer. Rapid decompression sits in between, typically occurring within 1 to 10 seconds.

That specific 1–10 second window is what defines rapid decompression, so the statement that rapid decompression occurs within 1–10 seconds is the best match. The other time frames belong to the other decompression types: explosive decompression is much faster than 1 second, and slow/gradual decompression is slower than 10 seconds.