Cabin crew members are prohibited from donating blood within ____ hours of commencement of duty or of flight departure.

Cabin crew members are prohibited from donating blood within ____ hours of commencement of duty or of flight departure.

• A. 24 hours
• B. 72 hours
• C. 48 hours
• D. 12 hours

Answer: (B)

Maintaining medical readiness before duty is essential for cabin crew, because blood donation can temporarily lower circulating volume and the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Waiting for 72 hours gives the body time to restore blood volume and stabilize vital signs, reducing the risk of dizziness, fatigue, or fainting during a flight or during preflight duties. The cabin environment—dehydration, stress, and physical demands of service—can amplify any transient effects, so this buffer helps ensure the crew can perform safely and respond to in-flight situations. Shorter windows don’t provide enough recovery time, whereas 72 hours is a standard safeguard built into many airline medical policies to keep crew members ready for duty.

Maintaining medical readiness before duty is essential for cabin crew, because blood donation can temporarily lower circulating volume and the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Waiting for 72 hours gives the body time to restore blood volume and stabilize vital signs, reducing the risk of dizziness, fatigue, or fainting during a flight or during preflight duties. The cabin environment—dehydration, stress, and physical demands of service—can amplify any transient effects, so this buffer helps ensure the crew can perform safely and respond to in-flight situations. Shorter windows don’t provide enough recovery time, whereas 72 hours is a standard safeguard built into many airline medical policies to keep crew members ready for duty.