NASA provided an accidental glimpse into its training techniques when it accidentally broadcast what sounded like an emergency on the International Space Station.
NASA Accidentally Broadcasts Space Station Medical Emergency Drill – Hear It Here!
It wasn't a crisis, but the noise made it sound like something had gone horribly wrong and a crew member was suffering from decompression sickness.
Decompression sickness is a disease known to divers. It occurs when dissolved gases form bubbles inside body tissues. It can happen during or shortly after an ascent without adequate decompression stops. In the case of the ISS training, it was likely due to an extravehicular activity scenario – perhaps a poor suit seal during airlock decompression.
It can also be fatal. Judging by the audio broadcast, the stricken crew member was not having a good time, with his condition described as "serious" at one point.
