The content of this post is an adaptation of an original text written by Guy Laliberté.

Our work plan in hand, we started the simulation exercise: a fire in the ISS. Our task was to conduct an emergency evacuation and return to our Soyuz. Among other things, this simulation involved putting on our suit and oxygen mask, so my 6th baby (the green one, remember?) served me well!

According to my partners, this is one of the most difficult exercises. And I have to agree, since what started out in a cool, calm and collected fashion ended in sheer exhaustion, with sweat pouring down our faces! This fire drill really helped me apply techniques that I hadn’t yet put to the test. I made a few beginner’s mistakes but gained precious experience along the way. There are two important lessons here: first, in an emergency situation (involving fire, in this case), “Roll yourself on the floor” is not the kind of advice we want to follow! Second, it’s important for us to remain calm since, with all the equipment we carry, it doesn’t take long to either run out of energy OR breath AND everything becomes heavy AND our masks fog up. It was such a great experience!

That night, I had a series of interviews with a Québec journalist who came to pay me a little visit. A bit far to come for an interview, don’t you think?