When you start the class, ask for a volunteer. When you handcuff the volunteer, let them know it's for their own protection, to ease their anxiety. Be sure to duct tape both nostrils, in addition to the mouth. I find cotton in the nose helps provide a better seal. You can then graphically demonstrate the stages of hypoxia at an accelerated level. Show a typical effective TUC at the 18,000 to 25,000 level, right there in class.
Be prepared for artificial respiration, so pick someone who DIDN'T have McDonalds for breakfast. Also be prepared to do compressions, so have your wheaties for breakfast. Don't tape people with moustaches or beards. Such folks are often very unforgiving, and the bits of hairy tape on the floor take on the appearance of wounded rats. Makes the girls in the class very nervous.
If the subject you pick is bigger than you, you may wish to consider running the cuffs through the aft rung on a chair...and then nailing the chair to the floor before you begin. Smile while you do it. It builds confidence and makes your audience like you. It does very little for your subject unfortunately, but you only have to deal with him or her for several minutes.
Most folks find this demonstration greatly enhances their understanding and retention of the material you present. Be sure it's not someone the instructor likes.
For extra credit, simulate an explosive decompression at altitude. After the subject has been taped for oh, say, thirty or forty seconds, take a couple of cake pans and slam them together right behind his or her head, like cymbols. Then shake the chair, and spray some lysol in his eyes (makes him think everything is misting up). Have him hum a nursery rhyme...show that he can't do it; demonstrates confusion. Drop ice cubes down his shirt and set of a couple off different syrens nearby...then clap his ears really hard at the same time with cupped palms. This adds realism, which could be used to more effect if the subject wasn't handcuffed like a condemned goat.
If you have two volunteers, it gets better. One stays imobilized during the first demo. Put a straw up their nose so they get a little air...keeps them fresh during your lecture. Then, at the end of the class, repeat the demonstration on the second volonter volunter vulonteer VICTIM, and just prior to loss of consciousness, rip off the tape triumphantly, and slap on a rebreather mask with oxygen at 15 litres per minute. This is done to show the speedy recovery possible using oxygen in a timely manner, and may also be used to suggest a rapid descent to lower altitudes.
I only suggest this as the finale to your demo because shortly after applying the oxygen, you may wish to vacate the room. It's up to you.
Good luck!!
