When fumes fill the flight deck, your first move is to don an oxygen mask set to 100%.

When fumes creep into the flight deck, your first instinct matters as much as your second. You’re not just piloting a machine; you’re looking after your own life, the crew, and the passengers relying on you to stay sharp. So, what should you do first? The right answer is simple, but it’s got teeth: don an oxygen mask set to 100%.

Yes, the oxygen mask. Right away.

Why breathing clean air is the top priority

Fumes aren’t just an olfactory nuisance. They can carry toxic substances, irritants, or smoke into the cockpit. The moment those fumes reach your lungs, your brain can get foggy—judgment slips, reaction times slow, and memory can scramble. In a cockpit, that mix is dangerous. The priority isn’t solving the mystery behind the smell before you’ve cleared your air; it’s preserving your ability to think, fly, and communicate.

Putting the mask on to 100% oxygen isn’t a cosmetic move. It’s a shield. You’re replacing the air you’re breathing with clean, breathable air. No fuss, no guesswork. With your oxygen supply at full rate, you’re giving your nervous system a fighting chance to stay awake, aware, and responsive. That clarity matters when you’re trying to figure out whether a leak, an electrical issue, or a misaligned pack is the root cause.

A quick snapshot of why this comes first

• Protects cognitive function. Oxygen helps keep decision-making intact when it’s most important.

• Reduces exposure to contaminants. Even small amounts of irritating fumes can be harmful if you keep inhaling them.

• Maintains situational awareness. Clear air supports better scanning of instruments, flight controls, and outside references.

• Keeps lines of communication open. You can talk to your cruise team, air traffic control, and cabin crew with confidence when you’re not fighting for air.

Let me explain how the moment unfolds

If you’ve trained in CQ and KV modules, you’ve heard the same drumbeat in multiple scenarios: prioritize life support, then diagnose, then fix. Here’s how it typically plays out in the ERJ cockpit when fumes hit.

• Step one: don the mask, set to 100%. Donning fast, with a quick confirm. You don’t wait to “see if it improves.” You don the mask, you verify the flow, you continue with the flight. The human brain doesn’t wait for certainty when the air is not safe.

• Step two: verify the breathing system. Once the mask is in place, check that the oxygen indicator is showing full flow, listen for the hiss of the supply, and confirm that the mask seal is snug. A small test breath—inhale, exhale, then resume normal breathing—helps you confirm the mask is doing its job.

• Step three: notify your partner and crew. A calm, concise call to your co-pilot and, if needed, cabin crew, helps coordinate the next moves. You’re not signaling fear; you’re signaling readiness. This is CRM in action—clear, brief, and purposeful.

• Step four: begin a focused assessment. With air clean, you can start the process of figuring out what’s causing the fumes. Look at air conditioning packs, pressurization indicators, electrical panels, and any alert messages. You’re collecting clues now, not reacting to panic.

• Step five: isolate and address. Depending on procedures, you’ll consider smoke removal steps, crew debriefs, and, if necessary, diversion or return-to-base planning. The aim isn’t drama; it’s control. Your oxygen keeps you in control while you work through the sequence.

Why not jump straight to smoke procedures or fire suppression?

Smoke evacuation procedures, fire suppression, and air conditioning checks all play a role—but they’re not the first move. If you start there without protecting your lungs, you’re flooring the accelerator while your brain is short of fuel. The fumes demand two things: clean air and a calm mind. By securing oxygen first, you give yourself the best chance to apply the rest of the tools correctly and safely.

A cockpit is a place where you balance science with situational judgment. In SkyWest ERJ operations, crews train to act quickly, but with discipline. The moment you sense trouble, your memory banks recall a simple rhythm: oxygen on, air clean, then investigate. It’s almost like a musician tuning a guitar before a recital—the instrument has to be stable before you play the piece.

A few practical notes you’ll carry with you

• The mask is more than a symbol. It’s your immediate shield against toxins that can cloud thinking. Don’t hesitate to confirm 100% flow and a proper seal.

• Fast, clear communication matters. A short call to your co-pilot—“O2 on, 100%,” followed by, “verify system status,” or “checking packs”—keeps the team oriented and synchronized.

• Don’t tape yourself to one idea. You’ll want to verify air sources, but you’ll also want to check for environmental clues in the cockpit and cabin. Sometimes the source is as simple as a ventilation duct; sometimes it’s deeper in the system.

• Oxygen isn’t a magic fix. It buys you time and clarity, but it won’t solve the root cause by itself. After breathing easy, you’ll switch into the next phase: diagnose, coordinate, and, if needed, maneuver to a safer altitude or alternate airfield.

Relatable reflections from the cockpit on routine nerves and real risks

If you’re listening to veteran pilots, you’ll hear two recurring notes. First, breath is a weapon—when the air tastes off, the mask is your starting line. Second, calm is a force multiplier. In a high-stakes moment, it’s the maestro that keeps the orchestra from rushing into wrong notes.

Think of it like driving through fog. You don’t charge ahead hoping the fog will clear and reveal the road. You slow, you breathe, you rely on your instruments, your co-pilot, and your checklist. In the ERJ cockpit, the same logic applies when fumes roll in. Breath first; then perform the steps that keep everyone safe.

A few lines about training, without turning this into a drill session

CQ and KV-style training emphasizes memorable sequences that feel natural under pressure. The goal isn’t to memorize every fire drill but to internalize a reliable reflex: protect your breathing, then proceed to diagnose. You’ll practice this in simulated environments, not because you want to ace a test, but because you want to fly with confidence when it matters.

In real life, a crew doesn’t rely on one heroic move. They lean on a concise set of actions that can be repeated under pressure. Oxygen first is one of those anchor points. It gives you the space to think, talk, and act with precision.

A gentle reminder about the broader idea

Fumes are a rare nuisance in the sky, but their potential impact is real. The strongest takeaway for SkyWest ERJ crews is that your priority is immediate protection of your own breathing. Everything else follows. This isn’t about bravery without sense; it’s about disciplined response—a balance of human judgment and mechanical reliability.

Tips that stick for pilots-in-training and new crew members

• Create a short cue you can hear in your head: “O2 on, 100%.” It’s a simple mantra that resets your focus before you start diagnosing.

• Practice the sequence with your co-pilot in a low-stress scenario. It helps you lock in the timing and the handoffs you’ll need in a real event.

• Keep a calm, steady voice when you report. Clarity under pressure reduces confusion and helps your crew coordinate more effectively.

• Remember that the environment matters. The air in the cockpit is part of the system you’re managing. Check for leaks, verify the status of packs, and watch for any change in cabin pressure.

A final thought as you glide toward the next flight

If you’ve ever watched a SkyWest ERJ pilot at work, you’ve seen people who treat safety as a language—spoken with confidence, practiced until it feels natural. Don oxygen mask 100% is one of those phrases that translates across crews and aircraft alike. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t win headlines, but it saves lives. In the moment when fumes threaten your air, it’s the move that steadies your hands and clears your mind.

So next time you consider the sequence, picture the mask first. The rest will follow—step by step, with purpose, and with the quiet certainty that you’ve earned your breathable air and your clear line of sight. The sky is vast, yes, but your focus doesn’t have to be. With oxygen as your first line of defense, you’ve already set yourself up to fly through whatever comes next.