What to do if you feel unwell on board an aircraft

Flying on a modern aircraft is usually comfortable, but conditions on board differ from those we are accustomed to on the ground. Cabin pressure can cause a slight decrease in blood oxygen levels, while dry air, prolonged immobility, and fatigue may also affect how you feel. As a result, even a healthy person may experience dizziness, weakness, nausea, or other unpleasant symptoms during a flight.

If you begin to feel unwell, do not panic or wait for the symptoms to pass on their own. Inform a flight attendant about your condition and try to assess your symptoms calmly. The Centrum Air crew will advise you on what to do next and provide assistance if necessary. The sooner you report that you are feeling unwell, the easier it will be to take appropriate measures.

First Steps to Take If Your Condition Suddenly Worsens

The most important rule in any unusual situation in the air is to immediately alert someone nearby who is trained to help. You are not left to deal with the problem on your own, even if you are travelling without companions. Promptly asking for assistance makes it possible to address many symptoms at an early stage before the situation becomes critical. Use simple and readily available ways to notify the crew and those around you.

• Press the flight attendant call button. It is located on the service panel above your seat and sends both an audible and visual signal to the crew;
  
• Ask the passenger next to you for help. If it is difficult for you to move or speak, ask the person seated nearby to attract the attention of a flight attendant;
  
• Adopt a stable position. Recline your seat, loosen the top buttons of your clothing, and breathe deeply at a steady pace.
  

Once you have called for assistance, try to remain as calm as possible and avoid sudden movements. Panic increases your heart rate and oxygen consumption, which may make you feel worse. Wait for the crew to arrive and describe your symptoms briefly but accurately so they can quickly assess the situation. Remember that flight attendants regularly deal with such cases and follow a clear sequence of actions.

What Assistance the Centrum Air Cabin Crew Can Provide

Centrum Air flight attendants undergo mandatory and regular training in first aid for a wide range of situations. Their responsibilities include not only passenger service but also ensuring safety and helping protect passengers' health throughout the flight. Medical supplies and equipment for unforeseen situations are available on board. When necessary, the cabin crew follows established international procedures.

• Initial assessment. Flight attendants may check your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation level if a pulse oximeter is available on board;
  
• Use of the onboard first-aid kit. The crew has access to a basic first-aid kit as well as an expanded emergency medical kit;
  
• Finding a qualified medical professional. Flight attendants may make a public-address announcement asking whether a doctor or other medical professional is travelling among the passengers;
  
• Decision on an emergency landing. If the condition is life-threatening, the captain may request an unscheduled landing at the nearest suitable airport.
  

The crew remains in contact with ground services and, where available, may consult a medical professional in real time. If specialised medicines from a controlled onboard medical kit are required, they may only be administered by an appropriately qualified doctor travelling on board. If no medical professional is available, the crew will focus on basic measures to support breathing, circulation, and body temperature. Follow the crew's instructions carefully and rely on their professional training.

Self-Help for Common In-Flight Symptoms

While waiting for a flight attendant, or while assistance is being arranged, there are several safe and practical steps you can take yourself. Different symptoms require different approaches: what helps with motion sickness may not help with ear pain caused by pressure changes. Understanding the nature of your symptoms can help you choose the most appropriate response. Below are recommendations for some of the most common problems experienced during a flight.

• For motion sickness and nausea. Direct the individual cool-air vent toward your face, focus your gaze on a fixed point inside the cabin, and take small sips of water;
• For blocked or painful ears. Swallow frequently, use a lozenge or chewing gum, or gently pinch your nose and exhale softly against the closed nostrils;
• For a panic attack or anxiety. Focus on controlled breathing: inhale for four counts, hold for two counts, and exhale for four counts. Loosen any tight clothing around your neck and chest;
• For severe dizziness. Lower your head slightly or recline your seat, close your eyes, and place a damp cloth on your forehead;
• For numbness or heaviness in the legs. Regularly flex and extend your feet, make circular ankle movements and, if you feel well enough and conditions permit, get up briefly from your seat every 30–60 minutes.
  

These simple measures can help ease acute discomfort and restore a sense of control. They are not a substitute for proper assistance, but they may significantly improve how you feel during the first few minutes. If your condition does not improve after taking these steps, inform a flight attendant again and explain whether your symptoms have changed. Most importantly, avoid taking unfamiliar medicines offered by other passengers unless they have been recommended by a qualified medical professional.

What to Do After First Aid Has Been Provided

Once the acute episode has passed and the flight attendants have provided the necessary assistance, it is important to recover properly. Even if you feel much better, your body may still be under stress and vulnerable to a recurrence of symptoms. At this stage, do not immediately return to your usual activities; give yourself time to recover and adapt.

• Tell a flight attendant immediately if the symptoms return or become more severe;
• Continue drinking water in small sips and avoid sudden movements until landing;
• After landing, do not rush to stand up and leave the aircraft; allow your body time to readjust to normal atmospheric pressure;
• If the episode was serious, such as loss of consciousness, severe pain, a marked drop in blood pressure, or low oxygen saturation, seek medical attention at the airport or promptly after arrival;
  
• Make a note of what happened. This information may be useful when speaking to a doctor and when preparing for future flights.

The crew may continue to check on your condition until landing and disembarkation. If necessary, flight attendants can arrange in advance for an ambulance or airport medical team to meet the aircraft so that you can be examined immediately after landing. Once the aircraft arrives, do not rush to retrieve your luggage; if you still feel unwell, remain seated and allow other passengers to leave first. Taking care of yourself during the final stage of the journey can help reduce the risk of symptoms returning.

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