There are 4 major pressure zones surrounding the earth. The higher zones require special equipment for a human to survive. These can be important for airplane pilots, high altitude balloonists, and astronauts.
Zone
Altitude in Meters
Altitude in Feet
Altitude in Miles
physiologic
< 3,040
< 10,000
< 1.9
physiologically deficient
3,040 to 15,200
10,000 to 50,000
1.9 to 9.5
space equivalent
15,200 to 192,400
50,000 to 633,000
9.5 to 120
space
> 192,400
> 633,000
> 120
Zone
Special Requirements
Pressure
physiologic
none if healthy
760 to 530 mm Hg
physiologically deficient
supplemental oxygen
530 to 87 mm Hg
space equivalent
sealed cabin or full-pressure suit
87 to < 1 mm Hg
space
spacecraft or spacesuit
< 1 mm Hg
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