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In-Flight Medical Emergencies

Inflight medical emergencies (IME), an unanticipated medical event occurring on a commercial aircraft while in flight, represent a challenge to the volunteer healthcare provider. The challenges are numerous, including the austere environment of the aircraft cabin, the almost complete absence of diagnostic studies, a very limited cache of medical supplies, and the distance from time to definitive medical care. The aircraft cabin is cramped with little privacy and limited ability to place the patient in a comfortable, supine position; in addition, the ambient noise level is prohibitive to certain physical examination maneuvers, such as auscultation and blood pressure determination.

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 Mayday, Medical: In-flight Emergencies

Fly the line long enough and chances are you’ll experience an in-flight medical emergency. They are relatively common, but also inherently challenging – they happen in a complex environment, in a confined space and with limited medical equipment often hours from help.

 One doctor's experience in a mid-flight emergency opens questions about medical kits

What was in the kit surprised her. The blood pressure cuff, for example, was not an automatic one like those in hospitals. It was a manual one, which needed to be put together, and listening for a pulse with a less-than-optimal stethoscope.

 “Is there a doctor on board?”: In-Flight Emergencies

Will you be ready when the call for a doctor on board goes out during your next flight? This blog post aims to highlight the key considerations you should be making when responding to a medical emergency at 36,000 feet and help you feel more prepared to act when called upon.

Articles of Interest

Airlines have a dedicated emergency medical hotline they can use in-flight— here's how it works

If the medical emergency requires immediate treatment, STAT-MD physicians can also instruct volunteers with little to no medical experience on how to proceed.

Docs on a plane: Dealing with in-flight emergencies

There is an important limitation, though: You must wait to be asked to assist. This is because the members of the cabin crew, who are trained in first aid, are the actual FAA-designated first responders. If they can handle the situation it ends there. You can certainly identify yourself as a physician and state that you are available to help, but you must be asked to intervene.

Expect the Unexpected During In-Flight Medical Emergencies

In the air, physicians are often faced with a make-it-work scenario. There are no universal standards for in-flight emergencies, so different countries have different protocols and kits – and some are better than others,

In-Flight Emergencies

In-flight emergencies rely on one large decision point: can the flight continue to its intended destination or does the situation require alternative landing plans, aka “diversion”?

In-flight Medical Emergencies

Up to 65% to 70% of in-flight medical emergencies are managed by a cabin crew without the assistance of a health care professional.

Sit Back, Relax . . . and Respond to an In-flight Medical Emergency?

In-flight medical emergencies (IMEs) occur in about one in every 604 commercial flights, according to a 2018 review article in the JAMA.

Trouble in thin air: Responding to in-flight medical emergencies

Common in-flight medical events include syncope/near-syncope, GI complaints, respiratory problems and cardiovascular emergencies. Cardiac arrest is rare, with one review showing it represented only 0.3% of all inflight medical events

‘Is there a doctor on board?’ Stories of medical emergencies at 30,000 feet

Working in a tiny, cramped space with passengers looking on is difficult. It’s even worse when there is turbulence and the plane is bumping around.

“Is there a doctor on board?”: Practical recommendations for managing in-flight medical emergencies

Hearing the call go out for a doctor at 36 000 feet can be anxiety-provoking for any physician. If health professionals offer their expertise, they may have to manage an unfamiliar clinical scenario, in a foreign and limited environment, without knowledge of the available resources.

Resources

STAT-MD

STAT-MD provides inflight emergency consultation as well as fitness to fly ground screening.

MedAire

To be essential to our members by providing expert medical, security and operational support to keep travellers and assets safe.