Which device provides portable oxygen to crew during an emergency?

• A. Portable oxygen bottles or masks with regulators (as provided by airline policy).
• B. Built-in cabin oxygen system.
• C. A handheld inhaler.
• D. A smoke mask.

Answer: (A)

In an emergency, crew need a portable source of breathable oxygen they can carry and use as they move. Portable oxygen bottles with masks and regulators provide immediate, controlled oxygen to the wearer, allowing the crew to stay alert and functional during decompression, smoke, or evacuations. The built-in cabin oxygen system is fixed in the aircraft and automatically supplies oxygen to the cabin and cockpit during depressurization, but it isn’t something a crew member can carry or use wherever they go. A handheld inhaler delivers medication, not oxygen, and a smoke mask is designed mainly to protect against smoke rather than provide a reliable, regulated oxygen supply for the duration of an emergency. So, portable oxygen bottles or masks with regulators best meet the need for portable oxygen.