Oxygen

[Former_Older]

During WWII, each fighter pilot (could well be all aircrew but the memoirs I have read were by pilots) in the USAAC/USAAF would undergo "hypoxia" training, in which an oxygen deprived atmosphere was endured by the pilot while in a classroom. Each pilot saw the real-time effects on a pilot volunteer who removed his oxygen mask in the classroom, (which was a sealed chamber) who was ordered to write his name on a chalkboard while breathing normally without his O2 mask

As the effects of oxygen starvation progressed, the signature became worse and worse until the volunteer would nearly pass out, then the instructor would slap the O2 mask back on the pilot, who revived almost instantly

The pilots would then pair off in a 'buddy system' to ensure nobody was killed by O2 starvation. One at a time, each of the pair would remove his O2 mask, and observe the personal effects of oxygen starvation on themselves while monitored by their buddy

Each pilot's personal symptoms would be noted, and then remembered. If an O2 line failed in flight, or a regulator iced up, there was no warning light or buzzer. The pilot needed to know that his sudden warm feeling, drowsiness, elevated pulse, euphoria, blue fingernails, or tingling sensation meant oxygen starvation and risk of immediate death. As noted, not only was each pilot's tolerance and useful time to react was different, the signs of this happening were also different from human to human

Modelling this in the sim would rely on arbitrary values, or else some kind of "points" system, both of which I dislike. The problem here is the highly unique circumstance that is the fact of th matter. Some type of oxygen starvation model must be present in my opinion, as well as the chance for O2 systems to be damaged in combat