What procedure must be followed for using the supplemental oxygen masks in an emergency?

Putting on your own mask first in the event of an emergency where supplemental oxygen masks are necessary is crucial for ensuring your own safety and ability to assist others. The rationale behind this procedure is grounded in the concept of prioritizing personal safety to effectively help others. In an emergency, such as a drop in cabin pressure, the air quality can deteriorate rapidly, leading to hypoxia or loss of consciousness. By securing your own oxygen mask first, you can ensure that you remain conscious and capable of aiding fellow passengers.

Ensuring your own supply of oxygen stabilizes your condition, allowing you to assist children, elderly individuals, or anyone else who may need help. This approach is particularly important in high-stress situations where panic can ensue; being calm and self-sufficient increases your effectiveness in assisting those around you.

Other suggestions, such as helping others first, can put you at risk of incapacitation due to lack of oxygen, which would hinder your ability to provide assistance. Therefore, the established protocol prioritizes self-protection to optimize the chances of assisting others effectively in an emergency scenario.