Why You Should Put YOUR MASK On First (My Brain Without Oxygen) - Smarter Every Day 157
Why Hacker News recommends it
It is the go-to demonstration of how hypoxia silently disables decision making, cited in threads on altitude, flying, diving, CO2 and breathwork.
What it is
Destin Sandlin of Smarter Every Day undergoes hypoxia training and experiences his own impaired thinking as oxygen is withdrawn. The video shows how quickly and unnoticeably oxygen deprivation degrades judgment, illustrating why you put your own mask on first.
Recommended by 5 HN commenters across 5 different months, 2016 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec j_bum · 2025-04 · on “Decreased CO2 during breathwork: emergence of altered states of consciousness”
Destin from Smarter Every Day (YouTube) has a wonderful video demonstrating this effect [0]. I’d recommend watching the whole thing, but you can see how much of an effect it has starting around the 6:00 mark. [0] [this video]
Recommends JshWright · 2017-07 · on “Two days in an underwater cave running out of oxygen”
To take this tangent even further afield... Here's an actual real life demonstration of why you should put your oxygen mask on first: [this video]
Recommends glandium · 2017-09 · on “How flying messes with the mind”
This Smarter Every Day video demonstrates how dumb you can get under (less mild) hypoxia (and why it's important to take care of your own oxygen mask before others') [this video]
Recommends mikejb · 2019-01 · on “Why is cognitive function impaired at high altitude?”
Destin from the 'Smarter Every day' YouTube channel did something similar (in a PSA-sort of style), and it's partly funny, partly scary to watch: [this video]
Recommends sithadmin · 2022-01 · on “The strangely successful history of people mailing themselves in boxes (2015)”
30-40k ft is absolutely a problem. Even if you remain conscious, you're completely unable to think coherently and generally have no idea what you're doing. Stay there long enough and you will unquestionably suffer brain damage and probably death as well. SmarterEveryDay did a good video about hypoxia training that demonstrates the very rapid onset and severe effects of hypoxia at cruising altitudes: [this video]
Cites vilda · 2016-09 · on “What I Learned from Executing Two Men”
Does anybody have an opinion why not to use low pressure as a method killing [0]? All the failed executions by electrical chairs and administered chemicals makes me think about a safer and more human method. Just theoretical question, not advocating for anything. [0] [this video] Edit: Typo
Cites Symmetry · 2018-04 · on “Woman Partially Sucked Out of Jet When Window Breaks”
And we should all remember to keep our seat belts on. And also seriously you should put your mask on first quickly before helping others. Your ancestors didn't experience a lack of oxygen without excess CO2 so you'll only experience the later as feeling that you're running out of breath. Without oxygen you can become too stupid to put on your air mask[1], then black out and die without noticing something is wrong. And if you're working in a lab with a cryogenic liquid that spills don't try to be a hero, just get you and your lab-mates out of there. [1] [this video]
Cites chiph · 2019-01 · on “Flying High Unpressurized (2016)”
Destin at Smarter Every Day shows you the effects of hypoxia and why you should put your mask on first before helping a child or other passenger. [this video]