Date: 201211
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Aircraft: MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Pressurization System
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Human factors: Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was walking through the cabin from First Class to Mid Class and noticed a smell in the cabin that smelled as if the heat had been turned on in the cabin. This struck me because I had asked the Captain about 15 minutes prior to warm the cabin because passenger was complaining of a cold cabin (and it was cold). So I thought maybe Captain had turned on too much heat. At cruise 35;000 FT. Seat belt sign came on. Felt aircraft bobble and descend. Masks dropped at 28;000 FT. I was standing near row 31 and took oxygen. Flight Attendant 4 was near her jump seat and took oxygen and strapped into seat belt. I began walking forward through cabin to ensure passengers were on oxygen; moving from mask to mask. Passengers and crew had severe ear discomfort. Flight wasn't full so there were ample masks to use. I had to instruct passengers to put on their masks; there were some who were just staring forward or out the window. I assisted a mother with a 2 year old lap child; child did not have her mask on. I instructed mother to put on child's mask; and I held the mother's mask on while she did so. I assisted another couple with their 4 year old daughter; assisting them with their own mask and their daughter's mask. An elderly gentlemen (wheelchair passengers) did not have his mask on because he was holding his ears; so I helped him put his mask on and instructed him to stay on oxygen. Other passengers also needed assistance with donning the mask. Because the head-band of the mask is stretched out so far; passengers had a hard time pulling the tabs and adjusting the mask to fit.I made my way up to row 7; where passengers in 7A&B were staring forward and out the window without their mask on. I told them in English to put on their mask. They didn't understand. I asked if they spoke Spanish; they did. I instructed them in Spanish to put on their mask. They said they didn't know how; and they wanted to know why. I helped them put their mask on and told them we all needed to stay on oxygen (in Spanish). Passengers in main cabin asked me to check on their mother in first class; seat 4A to ensure she had her mask on. All passengers were on oxygen. During this time; Flight Attendant 1 and Flight Attendant 4 made PAs covering [mask usage]. Lights in cabin were turned to bright. I once again walked through the cabin to ensure passengers were still on oxygen and no one was injured. Several passengers were concerned because their mask wasn't inflating. I assured them this was normal. I made my way back to the forward entry door and made a PA stating that sometimes the bag does not inflate even though they are receiving oxygen. And I urged them to pull the tabs tight to have the mask fit tightly on their faces. I told them to remain on oxygen and to let us know if they needed help. During this time Flight Attendant 1 was assisting the mother with the lap child who was refusing the mask; and Flight Attendant 1 was helping the mother keep the mask on the child. Flight Attendant 4 also walked through the cabin to check on passengers. I called the Captain to ensure he knew we were on oxygen; he said he knew. Reason I called was because during this time he hadn't made an announcement so I wasn't sure if he knew what was happening in the cabin. I did notice a light haze in the cabin; the smell of the [oxygen] generators. Several passengers were afraid that the smell of the generators was a fire in the cabin. We all assured them this was due to the generators and all was normal. Flight Attendant 4 was towards the back of the cabin; Flight Attendant 1 was assisting passengers with lap child; and I was at row 7 keeping watch of First Class and forward part of Mid Class. Captain made an announcement; explained the situation (loss of cabin pressure); and informed us the problem was resolved and the cabin pressure was once again normal; and that we could forgo the oxygen. Flight Attendant 1 or 4 confirmed the information with the Captain; and once again Captain made the announcement that cabin pressure had resumed to normal and we no longer needed to take oxygen. All flight attendants walked through cabin to check on passengers and ensure everyone was well. Passengers complained of ear pain; including crew. I walked through the cabin with water for passengers. Flight Attendant 4 had walked through the First Class cabin and noticed a passenger with severe pain. She spoke with the Captain and encouraged paramedics meet the flight. I made a PA asking passengers to share their chewing gum with one another because so many had ear pain; and once again asked if anyone needed medical assistance to let us know. I explained to the Spanish speaking passenger's in 7A&B what had happened and instructed them if ever they are in flight and masks drop; to always don the mask and not wait for instructions. They said they were unsure of what to do. All passengers seemed to be coping alright; some were more upset than others. The mother of the 4 year old daughter was pregnant (6 or 7 months) and I was concerned for her. She said she was ok; but her baby was busy kicking. Once cabin was secure; Captain prepared us for landing. Once we arrived at the gate; the cabin pressure once again caused much ear discomfort as the Captain tried to depressurize the cabin; several fluctuations of pressure; which caused even more severe ear pain. Captain made an announcement of the problem. Finally; cabin was depressurized and fwd entry door was opened. Paramedics met the flight for any passengers who needed attention. I don't know if anyone took it. My personal ailments were: ear discomfort/pain; headache; light-headed; dizzy; nausea; neck/shoulder pain. Flight Service met our flight and suggested we go for medical attention. After we cleared customs/immigrations; we all drove ourselves to the clinic where we all received medical attention and treatment. I will say this event was a bit different than I had expected. We did not have a rapid descent; therefore we were able to walk through cabin. There wasn't a loud bang noise (because it was a slow decompression). I didn't feel any physical changes when the masks dropped; which I believe was the reason why passengers weren't sure what to do. At first; they didn't feel any type of physical change and were breathing fine; and then gradually the ear discomfort began to affect us all. Also; the strap to the mask that goes around your head is stretched out so far; passengers and I had a hard time adjusting the masks to fit tightly. I didn't expect the strap to be stretched out so far. I do believe all flight attendants did a super job. Our training instincts kicked in and we all did our job and covered all bases; and ensured our passengers and crew were taken care of and informed of the situation. Good communication between flight attendants and passengers. I didn't expect the physical ailments that followed. The dizziness and headache and ear discomfort continues for me.




Synopsis: MD80 Flight Attendant describes a loss of cabin pressure at 35;000 FT and passenger and flight attendant actions after the masks drop from the the overhead storage compartments.