Is There a Doctor on the Plane?
Summary by: Joe Lex
How Common Are In-Flight Emergencies?• Occur on one in every 600 flights• 44,000 of 2.75B airline passengers / year
What Are Most Common Emergencies• Lightheadedness or fainting ~37%• Respiratory problems ~12%• Nausea or vomiting ~10%• Cardiac symptoms ~8%• Seizures ~6%• Other Emergencies• Laceration ~0.3%• Cardiac arrest ~0.3%• Ear pain ~0.4%• Obstetrical or gynecological symptoms ~0.5%• Headache ~1%
Who Responds to the Call?• Physician passenger responds in ~48%• Nurse passenger responds in ~20%• EMT passenger responds in ~5%
Minimum first aid kits on commercial airliners16 Adhesive bandage compressors, 1 in20 Antiseptic Swabs10 Ammonia Inhalants8 Bandage compressors, 4 in5 Triangular bandage compressors, 40 in1 Arm splint, non inflatable1 Leg splint, non inflatable4 Roller bandage, 4 in2 Adhesive tape, 1 in standard roll1 Bandage Scissors2 Protective latex gloves pair2 Insect sting relief pad2 Triple antibiotic ointment2 First Aid/burn cream, 9 gm.2 Povidone iodine infection control wipes2 Alcohol cleansing pads2 Gauze dressing pad 2" x 2" in2 Motion Sickness Tab4 Ibuprofen tablets4 Non Aspirin Tablets2 Sunscreen lotion towelette2 Trauma pads 5 x 9 in (12,7 x 22,8 cm)1 Survival rescue blanket1 Pelican case 1170 waterproof1 Emergency first aid guide (American Red Cross)
Required medications on flights• Antihistamine – tablets and injectable• Atropine 0.5 mg injectable• Aspirin tablets 325mg• Bronchodilator MDI• Dextrose 50% injectable• Epinephrine 1:1000 and 1:10,000• Nitroglycerin tablets• Lidocaine injectable• IV needle• 500ml Saline injectable
All crewmembers are trained for common emergencies. For each flight attendant¥ Instruction to include performance drills in the proper use of automated external defibrillators¥ Instruction to include performance drills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation¥ Recurrent training … at least once eve