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A pilot has tingling and lightheadedness that could be hyperventilation or hypoxia. What is the safest response?

Choices

  • ✓ Slow the breathing rate but assume hypoxia and use oxygen if any doubt remainscorrect

    Because the symptoms overlap, treating for hypoxia with oxygen is the conservative choice.

  • Ignore the symptoms since they always resolve on their own

    Ignoring oxygen-related symptoms can be fatal.

  • Breathe faster and deeper to get more air

    Faster breathing worsens hyperventilation.

  • Immediately descend below sea level

    Descending below sea level is not possible and is not the recommended action.

Why

Hyperventilation and hypoxia share symptoms, so the pilot should slow the breathing and, if any doubt remains, assume hypoxia and use supplemental oxygen.

FAA source: PHAK Ch. 17 / hyperventilationPHAK Ch. 17 / hypoxiabrowse the reference library →

This is taught in Oxygen and the Gases That Hurt You: Hypoxia, Hyperventilation and CO — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

A pilot has tingling and lightheadedness that could be hyperventilati… · PPL Free Ground School