Why do airlines tell you to put your oxygen mask on first?

When you fly on an airplane, the flight attendant instructs you to “put your oxygen mask on first,” before helping others. Why is this an important rule for ensuring survival? Because if you run out of oxygen yourself, you can't help anyone else with their oxygen mask.



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Without oxygen, you will quickly feel drowsy and even euphoric, a phenomenon known as hypoxia, but as time passes, continued lack of oxygen to the brain will lead to blackouts, passing out, and possibly even death.

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So the way the oxygen mask theory goes is that if you're in the unfortunate position of being on a plane which is about to nose dive, you should secure YOUR oxygen mask before helping anyone else – including children. If you don't, you risk not being able to help anyone at all.

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It's a prime location for viral transmission. “If you wear a mask, that is at least one protection you can keep constant, as well as other easy mitigations, like keeping up to date with Covid vaccines, wiping down your seat and tray area, and keeping your hands clean,” says Wallace.

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Keep your coughs at minimum by either popping cough drops as needed or taking cough medicine before you take off. Decongestants are also a good idea for that runny nose. Little Kleenex packets are available at most airports and could save your nose as well.

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Answer: No. The cabin is pressurized between 6,000 and 8,000 feet on long flights. Adding supplemental oxygen is not necessary, because the percentage of oxygen is the same as being on the ground at those altitudes.

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Low air pressure during air travel also decreases the amount of oxygen in the air. This effect is modest and generally not noticeable for healthy travelers. For patients with significant lung disease, a small decrease in available oxygen can cause significant symptoms, especially with exercise.

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Airlines “pressurize” the air in the cabin, but not to sea-level pressures, so there's still less oxygen getting to your body when you fly, which can make you feel drained or even short of breath. The potential dehydration factor and sitting for long periods of time doesn't help.

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These U.S. airlines do not require masks Alaska Airlines: Masks are optional. Alaska immediately moved to make masks optional on its flights following the April 18 ruling. American Airlines: Masks are optional.

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Mask requirements on other international carriers
  • Aeromexico: Masks are now optional on Aeromexico flights.
  • Air Canada: Canada's national carrier no longer requires face masks on its flights. ...
  • Air New Zealand: Masks are no longer required on Air New Zealand flights unless mandated by the destination country.


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Airlines That DON'T Require Masks In 2023 Most major airlines around the world have dropped mask mandates as of 2023. Some of the biggest airlines that do NOT require masks (except in limited cases where the country of origin or final destination may require it) are: Delta Air Lines. American Airlines.

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A simple pulse oximeter reading while you are at high altitude, at rest and during activity, can determine if oxygen is needed at altitude. Alternatively, some pulmonary function labs can perform an altitude simulation test to determine your oxygen saturation at altitude.

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