Descending experiment │ Unconsciousness │Recovery of consciousness from 13 km. [42,700 ft.] │ after— │ after— │ │ Seated (lying during │50″ = 12.4 km. │8′ 12″ = 7.2 km. unconsciousness) │ │ │ [40,672 ft.]. │ [23,620 ft.]. Seated strapped in │35″ = 12.6 km. │10′ 30″ = 5.85 km. │ [41,340 ft.]. │ [19,190 ft.]. Suspended │20″ = 12.8 km. │19′ = 1.6 km. │ [41,980 ft.]. │ [5,250 ft.]. [page 13 of original] Since in unfavorable cases in these experiments, namely while suspended, recovery of consciousness did not occur until 1.6 km. [5,250 ft.] altitude, it had to be concluded that in jumps from altitudes over 13 km. [42,700 ft.], recovery of consciousness would follow only after 0 km., which would mean that in an actual situation the landing would be made in an unconscious condition. This raised the question of a safe means of rescue. Descending experiments were made in larger numbers from 15 km. altitude, since it became evident that at this altitude the approximate limits for what was possible in emergencies had already been reached or essentially surpassed. After an ascent made as rapidly as possible, using oxygen apparatus with free flow, the mask was removed immediately upon attaining 15 km. [49,200 ft.] altitude and the descent was begun. Since the results of these descending experiments were very typical and especially impressive it is necessary to present one of these experiments in detail. The record of an experiment is represented as follows: 15 km. [49,200 ft.] Lets the mask fall, severe altitude sickness, clonic convulsions. 14.5 km. [47,560 ft.] 30 sec. Opisthotonus. 14.3 km. [46,900 ft.] 45 sec. Arms stretched stiffly forward; sits up like a dog (“Pfoetchenstellung”), legs spread stiffly apart. 13.7 km. [44,950 ft.] 1 min. 20 sec. Suspended in opisthotonus. 13.2 km. [43,310 ft.] 1 min. 50 sec. Agonal convulsive breathing. 12.2 km. [40,030 ft.] 3 min. Dyspnea, hangs limp. 7.2 km. [23,620 ft.] 10 min. Uncoordinated movements with the extremities. 6 km. [19,690 ft.] 12 min. Clonic convulsions, groaning. 5.5 km. [18,040 ft.] 13 min. Yells loudly. [page 14 of original]