When an infant or young child needs oxygen, speed and a correct fit are essential. The priority is to deliver oxygen safely and effectively, using the appropriate pediatric or infant mask and securing a proper seal to ensure a steady flow. In this scenario, trained crew members placing the mask guarantees the right equipment is used, the mask is fitted correctly, and the oxygen flow is managed without delays or misfits that could occur if a non–trained person tries to apply it. That’s why the recommended approach is for crew to place the mask on the infant. Infants must use oxygen with the correct size mask; using an adult mask would not fit properly and could limit oxygen delivery. While a parent can offer comfort, relying on a non-trained passenger to fit the mask could slow or compromise the fit and flow. The idea that only parents assist or that infants shouldn’t have masks at all isn’t appropriate for delivering timely, safe oxygen in an emergency.

When someone is unconscious and there’s a potential spinal injury, the priority is to protect the spine while keeping the airway open. Movement can cause further damage to the spinal cord, so you avoid twisting or bending the neck or spine. The best approach is to keep the passenger still and wait for medical professionals, unless there’s an immediate safety threat that requires moving them. Start by calling for medical assistance right away. While you wait, stabilize the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver (to minimize neck movement) and monitor breathing. If breathing stops, provide rescue breaths as trained, using a barrier device if available. Keep the head and neck in a neutral alignment and support them to prevent any movement. Do not place the person in any altered position like Trendelenburg, and do not twist the neck to check for nerve damage. The goal is to maintain airway and breathing while preserving spinal alignment until help arrives.

In cabin crew communications, the Lead Flight Attendant is the primary channel to the Captain for any discrepancies or safety concerns in the cabin. The Lead FA gathers the details from the other flight attendants, assesses the situation, and then reports to the Captain with a concise summary of the issue, actions taken, and recommended next steps. This keeps information clear, organized, and within the chain of command. Junior flight attendants report to the Lead FA and do not typically relay discrepancies directly to the Captain, except in urgent situations where direct communication becomes necessary. The Captain, ultimately, uses the information from the Lead FA to make decisions and authorize any actions.

Counting passengers as they board is about accuracy and reconciliation with the manifest. The dedicated boarding passenger count form is used to capture the number of passengers as they enter the aircraft, so crew can verify everyone booked is accounted for before departure. This form, identified for this purpose, is designed for quick, clear tallies and typically includes fields for the total onboard, any discrepancies (such as infants, standby passengers, or no-shows), plus time and crew initials. Using this form provides a reliable record that can be cross-checked against the passenger manifest and shared with the flight deck as boarding progresses. Other forms are used for different cabin processes or reports and don’t provide the specific real-time tally and reconciliation function needed during boarding, so they aren’t the standard choice for recording passenger counts.