Could hypoxia explain the lack of communication?

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Hypoxia is a Plausible Explanation for the Lack of Communication Aboard MH370

Investigators are baffled by the complete absence of communication from the 239 individuals aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 as it traversed densely populated areas of peninsular Malaysia, an area equipped with cellular transmission towers. While passengers on hijacked flights during the September 11, 2001 attacks made numerous calls and messages, no evidence of communication attempts has been found from MH370. One leading hypothesis to explain this silence centres on the aircraft's unusual flight profile, specifically its ascent to an altitude of 45,000 feet, which is beyond its operational ceiling, followed by an erratic descent to 25,000 feet.
Unusual Altitude Profile and Potential for Hypoxia

The flight path of MH370 included a significant climb to 45,000 feet, a level exceeding the typical operating ceiling for commercial aircraft. This was followed by a steep and erratic descent to 25,000 feet. This extreme deviation from a standard flight profile has led to speculation about the conditions onboard.
Hypoxia as a Cause of Unconsciousness

Medical experts have suggested that a rapid depressurisation at such extreme altitudes could induce hypoxia, a condition where the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. If the aircraft experienced such a depressurisation event, it could have rendered the passengers and crew unconscious, thereby preventing any attempts at communication. Pilots, for instance, are trained that they may have as little as 15 seconds of conscious control at 45,000 feet if their air supply is compromised.
Alternative Explanations for Communication Absence

While hypoxia presents a compelling theory, other explanations for the lack of communication have also been considered. One possibility is that the aircraft's altitude was simply too high for standard mobile phones to establish a connection with ground-based cellular towers, a scenario contrasted with the shorter flights during the 9/11 attacks. Furthermore, disabling satellite phones is considered a technically simpler task compared to shutting down critical aircraft systems like the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) and transponders, suggesting a deliberate act to prevent communication.
The Mystery of Ring Tones and Continued Investigation

Despite the lack of confirmed calls or texts, some relatives of passengers reported hearing ring tones when attempting to call their loved ones' mobile phones. Telecommunications experts have explained this phenomenon as an audio cue generated by networks attempting to locate a specific device, rather than a confirmed connection. Investigators continue to examine millions of records in their efforts to understand the complete absence of distress signals from the missing flight.

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Could hypoxia explain the lack of communication?

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