What Would Happen If the World Lost Oxygen for 5 Seconds

Imagine if, for just five seconds, all the oxygen in the world disappeared. It sounds like no big deal; after all, most of us can hold our breath for longer than that, right? But a recent simulation shows that even such a brief loss of oxygen would cause chaos on a scale you wouldn’t expect.

Oxygen makes up about 21 percent of the air around us, while nitrogen accounts for nearly 78 percent. That might make oxygen seem like the underdog, but it’s vital, not just for people and animals, but for the planet itself.

So, what if it suddenly vanished? The simulation, created by the YouTube channel ‘What If,’ walks through the immediate and surprising effects. At first, your breathing wouldn’t even change. You’d still be able to inhale and exhale as usual. But that’s where normal ends.

The video explains that anything made from concrete would “instantly collapse.” Oxygen plays a crucial role in how concrete hardens and holds together; without it, buildings would weaken and crumble. Imagine cities where skyscrapers give way in seconds.

Then there’s metal. Usually, metal surfaces have a thin layer of oxidation, commonly referred to as rust, that prevents them from sticking to each other. Without oxygen, this layer would disappear, causing untreated metals to fuse uncontrollably. As a result, machinery and infrastructure could seize up or break in unexpected ways.

Planes would suddenly fall from the sky.

If you were outside, the sun would become a serious threat. The ozone layer, which shields us from harmful ultraviolet rays, depends on oxygen to function. With oxygen gone, there’s no ozone layer, meaning immediate and intense sunburn for anyone exposed.

The simulation gets even more intense. Losing oxygen means losing about 21 percent of the air pressure we’re used to. That sudden drop is like instantly plunging from sea level down 2,000 meters, about 6,500 feet. Our inner ears wouldn’t have time to adjust, and they could burst from the rapid change in pressure.

And it’s not just people and buildings that are affected. Fire needs oxygen to burn, so all fires would go out instantly. Non-electric cars might keep running for a little while, but planes would fall out of the sky, losing the oxygen that fuels combustion engines and the air pressure necessary for lift.

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On a much larger scale, the Earth itself would start to break apart. Nearly half of the planet’s crust is oxygen by weight. Without it, the solid ground beneath us wouldn’t hold its shape; it would collapse.

Even the sky would go dark. Typically, oxygen molecules scatter sunlight, which helps brighten our days. Without oxygen, that scattering stops, plunging us into sudden darkness as sunlight passes through the atmosphere with nothing to bounce off.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a pioneer in integrative medicine, emphasizes that even short-term oxygen deprivation can trigger significant physiological responses in the body. He notes that the brain, which consumes about 20% of our oxygen, would experience immediate effects, potentially leading to loss of consciousness within seconds.

Weil's research highlights the importance of oxygen for cognitive functioning and overall health. A sudden absence could cause chaos not just physically, but psychologically, as panic sets in when the body craves air.

The simulation revealed what would happen.

To make sense of this, Geoffrey Widdinson, a process engineer from Texas, weighed in on the scenario.

He said, “In terms of breathing, we probably wouldn’t notice. Our bodies can’t detect oxygen deficiency directly; we only notice when carbon dioxide builds up. As long as CO2 levels don’t rise, we don’t feel like we’re suffocating.”He added, “Actually, it would be disappointingly undramatic from a personal perspective. The real chaos would be outside, with hundreds of millions of cars stalling at once, strange fluctuations in air pressure, but no one would understand what caused it. Eventually, people would just shrug and move on.”Getty Stock Photo

While the idea of oxygen disappearing suddenly sounds alarming, there’s no cause for genuine concern. A complete loss of oxygen, even for just a few seconds, is not something that can happen in our atmosphere.

Still, thinking about this scenario helps us appreciate how essential oxygen truly is. It’s an invisible but crucial part of our environment, sustaining life in the air we breathe and even supporting the ground beneath our feet.

Understanding the Impact of Hypoxia

Experts in respiratory health, such as Dr. John McDougall, point out that our bodies are incredibly sensitive to oxygen levels. His work illustrates how hypoxia, or low oxygen availability, can lead to a cascade of reactions, including rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure.

McDougall suggests that to better prepare for potential oxygen disruptions, individuals should prioritize aerobic health through regular exercise and proper nutrition. This builds resilience in the respiratory system, helping the body better cope during any sudden oxygen loss.

Understanding the Deeper Patterns

In summary, the sudden loss of oxygen, even for a brief moment, could lead to critical physiological and psychological effects. Experts like Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. John McDougall remind us of the importance of oxygen for our health and well-being. With simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and mindful breathing practices, we can strengthen our respiratory health.

By fostering awareness of our oxygen needs and improving our body's resilience, we can mitigate the shock of sudden changes, ensuring we remain grounded and well-prepared in any crisis.