by letter in Morse code. Kittinger says it was a joke, but Simons didn't take it that way. {Morse code has always been a tough medium for humor.} In his memoir Man High, Simons recalls thinking that "the weird and little understood breakaway phenomenon could be taking hold of Kittinger's mind,…that he…was gripped in this strange reverie and was hellbent on flying on and on without regard for the consequences." Simons compared the breakaway phenomenon to "the deadly raptures of the deep." "Rapture of the deep" is a medical condition
In their interaction, Kittinger made a joke that Simons found unsettling. Simons reflects on this moment in his memoir, "Man High," suggesting that Kittinger might have been experiencing a disorienting state of mind, potentially losing touch with reality during their flight. He implies that Kittinger's fixation on the situation could lead to serious consequences, resembling the psychological struggles associated with deep-sea diving.
This comparison to the "rapture of the deep," a term that refers to a dangerous condition divers can face, highlights the gravity of Kittinger's mindset during the flight. Mary Roach's book, "Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void," emphasizes the complexities of human behavior in extreme environments, showcasing how humor can sometimes misfire in high-stress situations like theirs.
