FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Aeromedical and ADMEasy
A pilot becomes anxious during unexpected turbulence in IMC and begins breathing rapidly and deeply. Shortly after, the pilot notices tingling in the fingers and lightheadedness. What is the most appropriate immediate corrective action?
- AIncrease the oxygen flow rate immediately
- BConsciously slow the breathing rate or breathe into a bag
- CPerform a Valsalva maneuver
- DDescend to a lower altitude as rapidly as possible
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Consciously slow the breathing rate or breathe into a bag
Hyperventilation is caused by excessive breathing that expels too much carbon dioxide from the blood; symptoms include tingling in the extremities, dizziness, and lightheadedness. The correction is to consciously slow the breathing rate, talk aloud, or breathe into a paper bag to restore normal CO2 levels.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Increasing oxygen would not correct hyperventilation, which is a CO2 deficiency, not an oxygen deficiency.
- C. The Valsalva maneuver equalizes ear pressure and has no effect on hyperventilation.
- D. Descending addresses hypoxia caused by altitude, not hyperventilation caused by anxiety-driven overbreathing.
Hyperventilation
Abnormally rapid or deep breathing, often triggered by stress or anxiety, that lowers carbon dioxide levels in the blood and causes dizziness, tingling, and lightheadedness.
- Symptoms include tingling extremities, dizziness, and visual disturbances
- Often confused with hypoxia but caused by CO2 loss rather than O2 lack
- Treated by slowing breathing rate or talking aloud
Memory trick: Breathe fast, feel tingly, slow it down