Carbon monoxide poisoning produces headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, confusion, dimness of vision, disturbance of judgment, and unconsciousness followed by coma and death. Although carbon monoxide causes deleterious effects on the central nervous system, death usually occurs from cardiotoxicity. Not all symptoms will necessarily be experienced by every individual exposed to this gas. Some have succumbed from inhaling low carbon monoxide levels, while others have survived breathing higher concentrations. Hydrogen cyanide poisoning signs and symptoms are weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, coma, convulsions, and death.
Death results from respiratory arrest.
Hydrogen cyanide gas acts very rapidly-symptoms and death can both occur quickly. There is no universal best procedure to follow in the event of an aircraft fire because no two fires are likely to be the same. Extinguishing the fire, if possible, is the immediate priority. An equally obvious second priority is to breathe as little smoke for as short a duration as possible. Some larger aircraft are supplied with portable, self-contained breathing masks for the crew, but small private aircraft usually are not.