Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Workload; Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
After reaching our cruise altitude of FL190; both the Captain and I felt a sharp pressure change; we noted that the cabin altitude was increasing rapidly. We then executed the required loss of cabin pressure procedures. ATC was notified of our descent and a new altitude clearance was issued. After reaching a safe altitude; we contacted Dispatch Control and determined it best to continue to the destination airport. The flight was completed without further incident.
A DHC-8-300 began loosing pressurization at FL190; so the crew declared an emergency; began a descent; completed the QRH and continued to the filed destination.