How should a flight attendant handle a passenger who is hyperventilating?

Encouraging a passenger who is hyperventilating to breathe slowly and use a paper bag is an appropriate response because it addresses the physiological effects of hyperventilation. Hyperventilation often leads to an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, resulting in symptoms such as lightheadedness, tingling, or anxiety. By breathing slowly, the passenger can regain control over their breath, helping to stabilize their breathing rate and restore normal levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Utilizing a paper bag can also assist by trapping exhaled air, allowing the passenger to re-inhale some of the carbon dioxide that they are exhaling too rapidly. It's important that this method is used with caution and only in cases where a medical professional is not immediately available, as certain conditions could be worsened by this approach.

In contrast, asking a passenger to stand up and walk around could increase their anxiety or distress, exacerbating their hyperventilation. Offering ice water does not address the underlying cause of hyperventilation and may not provide relief to the passenger. Advising them to count to ten is not effective in managing the breathing difficulties related to hyperventilation, as it does not directly aid in regulating their breath or providing immediate comfort.