What is the first action to take during a "Loss of Situational Awareness?"

The first action during a "Loss of Situational Awareness" is to conduct a thorough scan of instruments and terrain. This action is critical because it helps the pilot to quickly regain an understanding of their current position, altitude, and orientation relative to the surroundings. By scanning the instruments, the pilot can gather essential information about the aircraft's performance and environment, which aids in assessing the situation accurately.

Regaining situational awareness is paramount for ensuring safety, and understanding what the aircraft is doing in relation to the ground and other air traffic enables the pilot to make informed decisions. This approach allows the pilot to identify any immediate risks, potential threats, and the overall flight condition before taking further actions.

The other options, while they may seem beneficial, prioritize actions that could lead to confusion or misjudgment if the pilot is not fully aware of the situation. For instance, notifying air traffic control without first ensuring one’s own awareness might result in incomplete or unclear communication of the aircraft's status. Similarly, changing altitude or initiating a descent could introduce additional complexity without first understanding the current state of flight and immediate surroundings.