B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 135.0; Flight Crew Total 3197.1; Flight Crew Type 3197.1
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
Cruising at Fl380; the Cabin Alt. Light and Aural system activated. Was not an explosive decompression and after a few seconds we donned our O2 masks; selected 100%; and I made sure we could communicate. Scanned the systems and we saw no immediate abnormal indications so we grabbed the QRH.During the completion of the QRH we noted the cabin altitude was rising; so we started an emergency descent. Center was notified of the descent; and we were cleared to 10;000 feet and asked for divert. QRH for this was completed. Contact with cabin crew was made to make sure they were on their oxygen and a quick rundown of what was going on. Descending thru Fl250; we got a Bleed Trip off indication (left side); and the QRH for that was completed with the bleed resetting. Company was notified of the diversion. Contacted cabin crew passing 18;000 feet to give a more complete rundown; and told them no evacuation; normal landing; and 20 minutes out. Airport was called and let them know we were on the way. We were cleared to 8;000 feet and passing 10;000 feet; our masks were removed and we told the cabin they could remove theirs. We set the plane up for a landing on 03R and we knew we were overweight so we configured early. Brief was completed roughly at 6;000 feet and approach checklist completed. Again spoke with the flight attendants to again let them know that normal landing and no commands on their part would be needed. We landed at approximately 134;000lbs. with a vertical descent of 200fpm or less. Normal taxi to the cargo area and passengers were deplaned to busses to the terminal after a 45 minute wait on the busses. Flight attendants did at least one water service on the ground and Lav's were also available and the plane was kept cool. Passengers were kept informed as to what was going on and the lead FA made sure all messages were translated and questions answered. Each and every one of these crew members did an outstanding job during a difficult situation. They kept the passengers calm and made this emergency situation end smoothly.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier crew experienced a depressurization during cruise requiring a divert to a nearby airport.