Date: 202001
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Anomaly: Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While operating flight I was informed by my FO (First Officer) that he was not feeling well after our conversation about an extensive dental procedure I had a few months back. FO looked a bit pale and certainly uncomfortable and said he needed to use the restroom. After summoning the A FA (Flight Attendant) to the cockpit; I heard a commotion in the front galley as the FO was exiting the flight deck. After looking back; I saw the legs of the FO on the ground. I immediately told the A FA to close the door and have a seat. At this point my position was around 300 miles north east of ZZZ at FL360. I referenced my manual on the procedures for incapacitated crew members and determined our next course of action. After about 5 minutes of communicating with the FAs on the condition of the FO they informed me he was up; doing well; and had his color back to normal. I spoke with the FO over the inter-phone system and he explained he was feeling much better and believed he was ok to continue. I discussed with the A flight attendant about staying upfront in the cockpit while the FO got situated so she could help if anymore issues came up. After talking with the FO and FA as well as a PAX (Passenger) that was a nurse who treated him; we determined he was back to normal and able to continue the flight as planned. I informed the FO I would be the pilot flying for the remainder of the flight and we discussed how to proceed. I determined a diversion to another airport was not in the best interest of safety. I considered policies/weather/distance/safety of my PAX's and crew and determined the best course of action was to not try and make a complex mountainous terrain diversion. ZZZ was clear with light winds and all our pre approach duties were accomplished for ZZZ. The flight then continued without further incidence. Once on the ground I told the FO to call the on-call chief pilot to determine the next course of action. We then talked with our medical team to get an assessment of the medical event at cruise. The Doctor told us he viewed it as an isolated incident and the FO was ok to continue. After talking with the chief pilots; the FO was removed from the flight and the rest of the crew was reassigned.After running through the incapacitated crew member section of the volume 2 . I would like to add a suggestion for a crew member that was incapacitated but returns to normal after treatment. A note to call the medical team if two pilots are present to discuss returning the crew member to duty or to divert.




Synopsis: A320 Captain reported First Officer became incapacitated during cruise flight.