Ebullism at 1M Feet: Surviving Rapid/Explosive Decompression (2000)

>> Personal Rescue Sphere (‘Space Ball’) Should the shuttle become compromised and unable to return to Earth, a unique emergency system is in place. Each crew member has a Personal Rescue Sphere (PRS), a 34-inch diameter fabric garment into which they can be zipped (Plate 1) (22). The sphere is then inflated with oxygen, and can be carried through space to a rescue vehicle. Each PRS has its own supply of oxygen, a window, and a small telephone. In addition to emergency decompression, the ‘Space Ball’ might also be used if the cabin air became contaminated, allowing a suited crewmember to vent the entire atmosphere and replace it. Simple and rapidly donned, the Personal Rescue Sphere is the final refuge in the event of a decompressive emergency.

While walking around in the chamber, a tester had walked too far and had accidentally pulled the umbilical tubing from the wall. He was at that moment exposed to a hard vacuum (equivalent to that found in outer space). The safety observer immediately started emergency pressurization and the tester survived. He continued to work for NASA and ended up being in charge of safety procedures.