During cabin decompression, what is stated about the POC's operation?

• A. POC will work normally
• B. POC will not work
• C. POC must be used with oxygen mask
• D. POC should be removed from patient

Answer: (B)

Portable oxygen concentrators rely on a stable ambient pressure to generate and deliver oxygen. In a cabin decompression, the cabin pressure falls toward outside air pressure, quickly pushing beyond the operating limits of many POCs. Under those conditions the device cannot reliably deliver the required oxygen concentration or flow, so it effectively won’t work. In such an emergency, you switch to the aircraft’s emergency oxygen system (oxygen masks) rather than relying on the POC. The other options contradict how POCs are designed to operate and what’s required for patient oxygenation during decompression.