Sunday May 27, 2001
Book 1: The Tub of Happiness — Battle for the Wormgate
Explosive Decompression and You: Savvy readers will be quick to point out that encouraging humans to hold their breath during explosive decompression is irresponsible. It should be noted, however, that this is simply a peculiarity of the human evolutionary design. True, in most all Earth-originated lung-equipped life-forms, explosive decompression and breath-holding allows expanding gases to rupture sensitive, vital tissues, accelerating the individual's decompressional demise, but this should not be considered a universally applicable case: if you find yourself in an explosive decompression, know your own lung, chest, and breath-valve design! Read up on your own evolutionary chain in advance to avoid embarrassing mistakes!

All of the humans in the strip above are wearing power armor, and have shut their helmets. They can hold their breath if they want--they are in no danger either way.

This next week we'll find out what happens to certain non-humans when the pressure drops.

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Transcript

Narrator: It's a professional soldier's worst nightmare--A close-quarters firefight. All the training in the galaxy won't prepare you for the noise, the heat, the adrenalin...
Nick: Sir, we ain't hittin' em!
Brad: They've got a shield generator!
Narrator: ... Or the fact that you might be completely out-gunned.
Der Trihs: Fall back by teams!
Schlock: We've got wounded!
Der Trihs: Sergeant! Get back here!
Schlock: On my way, sir.
SFX: Thoooom
Der Trihs: We've got to get around their shield, maybe get within fist-range.
Torpth'g'd'p'tawn: Allow me to help, lieutenant.
Torpth'g'd'p'tawn: Thank you, sergeant.
Schlock: Hey, that's MINE.
Torpth'g'd'p'tawn: Everybody hold on to something.
SFX: THOOOOM
SFX: Fwoosh
Torpth'g'd'p'tawn: Oh. And hold your breath.
Shep:
Tod:
Footnote: Explosive Decompression and You: Savvy readers will be quick to point out that encouraging humans to hold their breath during explosive decompression is irresponsible. It should be noted, however, that this is simply a peculiarity of the human evolutionary design. True, in most all Earth-originated lung-equipped life-forms, explosive decompression and breath-holding allows expanding gases to rupture sensitive, vital tissues, accelerating the individual's decompressional demise, but this should not be considered a universally applicable case: if you find yourself in an explosive decompression, know your own lung, chest, and breath-valve design! Read up on your own evolutionary chain in advance to avoid embarrassing mistakes!All of the humans in the strip above are wearing power armor, and have shut their helmets. They can hold their breath if they want--they are in no danger either way.This next week we'll find out what happens to certain non-humans when the pressure drops.