This paper is devoted to the numerical and experimental investigation of hydrogen self-ignition as a result of the formation of a primary shock wave in front of a cold expanding hydrogen gas jet. Temperature increase, as a result of this shock wave, leads to the ignition of the hydrogen-air mixture formed on the contact surface. The required condition for hydrogen self-ignition is to maintain the high temperature in the area for a time long enough for hydrogen and air to mix and inflammation to take place. Calculations of the self-ignition of a hydrogen jet are based on a physicochemical model involving the gas-dynamic transport of a viscous gas, the kinetics of hydrogen oxidation, the multi-component diffusion, and the heat exchange. We found that the reservoir pressure range, when a shock wave formed in the air during depressurization, has sufficient intensity to produce self-ignition of the hydrogen-air mixture formed at the front of a jet of compressed hydrogen. We present an analysis of the initial conditions (the hydrogen pressure inside the vessel, the temperature of the compressed hydrogen and the surrounding air, and the diameter of the hole through which the jet was emitted), which leads to combustion. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.