What is the recommended action if experiencing symptoms of hypoxia during flight?

When experiencing symptoms of hypoxia during flight, the best course of action is a combination of administering oxygen as prescribed and descending to a lower altitude. Hypoxia occurs when there is inadequate oxygen reaching the body's tissues, which can happen at higher altitudes where the oxygen levels are lower.

Administering supplemental oxygen helps to increase the amount of oxygen available to the body, alleviating symptoms such as confusion, shortness of breath, or impaired judgment that can arise from lack of oxygen. At the same time, descending to a lower altitude where oxygen levels are higher can provide immediate relief from hypoxia symptoms. This dual approach is recommended because while providing supplemental oxygen can help, descending to a safer altitude also addresses the environmental cause of hypoxia.

Choosing either method alone may not fully resolve the hypoxia; thus, using both methods effectively maximizes the chances of restoring adequate oxygenation and ensuring the safety of the flight.