K_Z
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The oxygen generators for the passenger masks only work for about 5-10 minutes. Just long enough for a pilot to usually get the plane to a lower altitude. Pilot masks are hooked to an actual oxygen tank.
To add to this, cockpit masks for pilots also have the capability of delivering oxygen under positive pressure, which is necessary in some decompression situations above about 25-30,000 ft (when time of useful consciousness drops off precipitously). Similar to the masks used by fighter pilots, except pilots of heavies don't have to wear them all the time.
Passenger masks are analogous to the simple facemasks used in ambulances and hospitals-- continuous flow, low concentration.
Here is an explanation:
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/Oxygen_Equipment.pdf
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_of_Useful_Consciousness"]Time of useful consciousness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]