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My Body in Space – Prebreathing

Prebreathing

Space travel is an extraordinary experience undertaken by a select group of men and women. Astronauts chosen for space missions must undergo a lengthy preparation process which includes 4 years of physical training and rehearsal of task-specific actions to be carried out onboard the International Space Station. In order to get their bodies accustomed to living in the lower pressurized environment of space, astronauts must wear specialized gear and prepare immediately prior to a spacewalk. Why? How?

We will explore the answers to these questions in the Prebreathing learning resource. The resource is targeted for Grade 8 level students. During the course of using this resource, students will use their acquired knowledge to distinguish myth from reality, identify scientific issues and technological responses, and apply the scientific method.

The Prebreathing learning resource focuses on the need for and the impact of implementation of a pre-breathing protocol. This protocol is a critical set of activities that prepare astronauts to cope with the difference in pressure in a spacecraft, like the space shuttle, with that to which they will be exposed in their spacesuit during spacewalks. Similar to deep-sea divers returning to the surface, astronauts must undergo progressive decompression to avoid getting the "bends".

The Prebreathing learning resource includes a main interactive module. In order to gain the maximum benefit from the resource, the educator should engage the students in preparatory activities prior to the lesson followed by wrap-up activities. Educators are asked to look over the Educator section to obtain an overview of the learning resource provided by the Canadian Space Agency and the tools available to them.

Enjoy the ride!

Educator Section