Question Sneezing protocol during EVA?

[ar81]

I was wondering...
Now that we have swine flu on earth and we are being given sneezing protocols...
If an astronaut is performing EVA, is there a sneezing protocol?
I can't figure out how spacesuit glass can be cleaned from inside.

 

[Pilot7893]

I can imagine it...
"Houson, I really have to sneeze!"
"Calm down John, you've only got 3 more hours out there."

 

[Urwumpe]

There is no special protocol for that - if you are even just slightly ill, you don't go out.

If you still have to sneeze (and there are many reasons to do so), you can just do it. Usually, this should not cause problems, but there are known accidents: One astronaut swallowed his water the wrong way and had to cough. A drop of water hit the inside of the visor and bounced back into his eye. This caused a problem because the inside of the visor is coated by the astronauts with soap, so it does not fog (Old diver trick).

It did not stop the EVA or cause serious problems, but it impaired the astronaut. You can't use tears in space to clean your eyes - the tears do not flow down, but stay inside the eye. This means that such contaminations stay in the eye until sufficiently solved.

 

[Zatnikitelman]

Here on Earth if I can put my finger under my nose or grab it, I can usually prevent the sneeze coming out. The blast from my lungs will still go, but it won't exit. I remember reading "How do you go to the Bathroom in Space" by (I think) John Carr of Skylab 3 and he said that they had a pinch device in their helments to close their nose, blow and equalize the pressure and that it could be sort of used to scratch your nose if it itched, I wonder if this could stop a sneeze like I do here on Earth.

 

[Artlav]

Speaking about itching.
In a space suit.
You'll just have to stand thru it?

About sneezing - what is the problem with that?
What is it so sensitive below the visor that you can't sneeze into?

Also, how do they guarantee an astronaut won't get sudden diarrhea?

 

[ThatGuy]

I remember seeing somewhere taht there is a device in the helmet that pinches your nose shut so you can equalize. I guess that if you needed to sneeze you could use that.

 

[Artlav]

I remember seeing somewhere taht there is a device in the helmet that pinches your nose shut so you can equalize. I guess that if you needed to sneeze you could use that.

How? What is the connection between a closed nose and non-sneezing?
Keeping your mouth shut while sneezing causes the ears to hurt, if you also close your nose, i'm afraid to imagine the result.

 

[T.Neo]

Keeping your mouth shut while sneezing causes the ears to hurt, if you also close your nose, i'm afraid to imagine the result.

Your head explodes? :rofl:

 

[Artlav]

Your head explodes? :rofl:

No, but the ear drums might not stand it. With some luck you end up permanently deaf, without luck - temporarily deaf.

 

[Bj]

Your head explodes? :rofl:

You blow out your ear drums

..or at least hurt them anyway

 

[Eagle]

Maybe a small dust mask over your mouth and nose. Just something to keep droplets from floating off. Even wrapping a scarf over your mouth and nose would work. Sure it would get gross, but it might be better than having boogers flying around your helmet.

 

[Ghostrider]

his eye. This caused a problem because the inside of the visor is coated by the astronauts with soap, so it does not fog (Old diver trick).

We used to do that with the old NBC masks too, wish it could have worked better...

 

[Urwumpe]

Should be painful, as most air escapes through the nose usually.

 

[Zatnikitelman]

I do it all the time and my head's not in a million pieces! I think what I do is more of a throat action however than a nose/mouth action however.

 

[Eagle]

The other alternative is for the astronaut to wear some goggles under the helmet.

 

[Kyle]

Hopefully it isnt anything like this.

 

[Navee]

The other alternative is for the astronaut to wear some goggles under the helmet.

The goggles... They do nothing!