A330 flight attendant describes a loss of cabin pressure during during descent. The cockpit crew was...

Narrative:

Captain instructed crew to prepare cabin for a normal arrival; as we were about to experience a decompression. As oxygen masks were deployed; passengers were instructed to 'don oxygen masks and fasten seat belts.' I sat at my assigned 3L door; donned my oxygen mask; and assisted passengers sitting nearby. I instructed a woman to use an oxygen mask for her infant; and told children not to pull on the masks; etc. Once captain advised us that it was safe to walk around; flight attendants walked through the cabin assisting passengers. A young woman was hyperventilating; other passengers were shaken; but overall there were no major incidents. The flight deck crew communicated very well with the crew and kept the passengers informed throughout. Passengers complimented the crew on their professionalism and calm as they deplaned. I did notice upon walking through the cabin that several passenger masks had not deployed. These passengers were not within view of the flight attendants; so they remained without oxygen. Also; we did not have a french translator on the flight; therefore communication with the french speaking passengers was compromised.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A330 Flight Attendant describes a loss of cabin pressure during during descent. The cockpit crew was apparently aware that the masks were about to drop and informed the cabin.

Narrative: Captain instructed crew to prepare cabin for a normal arrival; as we were about to experience a decompression. As oxygen masks were deployed; passengers were instructed to 'Don Oxygen Masks and Fasten Seat Belts.' I sat at my assigned 3L door; donned my oxygen mask; and assisted passengers sitting nearby. I instructed a woman to use an oxygen mask for her infant; and told children not to pull on the masks; etc. Once Captain advised us that it was safe to walk around; flight attendants walked through the cabin assisting passengers. A young woman was hyperventilating; other passengers were shaken; but overall there were no major incidents. The flight deck crew communicated very well with the crew and kept the passengers informed throughout. Passengers complimented the crew on their professionalism and calm as they deplaned. I did notice upon walking through the cabin that several passenger masks had not deployed. These passengers were not within view of the flight attendants; so they remained without oxygen. Also; we did not have a French translator on the flight; therefore communication with the French speaking passengers was compromised.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1075482
Time
Date	201303
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A330
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Component
Aircraft Component	Pressurization System
Person 1
Function	Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Qualification	Flight Attendant Current
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A330 flight attendant describes a loss of cabin pressure during during descent. The cockpit crew was apparently aware that the masks were about to drop and informed the cabin.