US Airways Dividend Miles - tragic event at Montego Bay Airport

I'm posting this here, since I'm hoping that something can be done to create new protocols or training of USAirways staff on how to deal with highly critical situations.

My family recently went to Jamaica for a 1-week vacation. On our BOS-MBJ flight, there was a man who was HEAVILY drunk, who was barely able to stand up and was still able to purchase alcohol on the plane!!! He was seated right behind me, and kept falling on me every time he tried to stand up... Anyway, flight was 4 hours, and with the turquoise waters awaiting us, I shrugged it off with just the thought that I was going to cross US airways from my list of airlines to travel on.

A week later (Dec. 6th), we were back at the Montego Bay airport, and when we got to the gate, we saw the same man looking drunk once again. Minutes after we took a seat a few rows away in the waiting area, we heard someone scream "is there a doctor?" "does anyone know CPR?" It seemed that there were no doctors in the immediate area, but from far away, I saw that they were performing CPR on the man. A huge crowd gathered around him, his wife and another relative were performing CPR, but there was no ambulance, no doctor, no announcement over the loudspeaker.... The girls who were seated near us (about 10 and 14) kept running back and forth between us and the man, hoping to see some improvement, but eventually just broke down and started weeping in their mother's arms. (The man had turned blue and the CPR was not reviving him).

About 25 minutes after the initial scream for help, they began boarding. In a very calm tone, as though nothing had happened, the reps began calling our boarding group numbers. We had to make a line next to the dead man on the floor and board the plane. Everyone was devastated. We couldn't believe there was no defibrillator anywhere in the airport. When someone finally asked the stewardess about it, she said "we've got one on the plane!!!" and they rushed the defibrillator out to the man. It was too late. He had been dead for about 20-25 minutes, and there was no chance to bring him back. From the plane, we also saw the ambulance that had finally come to get the man.

It was awful to witness this episode, since we all felt the man could've been saved had he been provided with proper medical care (if they had tried to find a doctor, a defibrillator, gotten an ambulance....) I hope they can make sure something like this never happens again... :(

First off to the op & all I'm very sorry to hear of this. But since you were there & we were not what could US have done different ?


Welcome to Flyertalk.

Sorry to hear this story.

But I don't get one thing. You couldn't get up and help?!? At least call 110 and ask for an ambulance?

It seems that like you everyone else was just staying around and hoping someone else will do something.

Defibrillator might or might not help in such case esp. if it was alcohol poisoning.

In such case it is always prudent to ask yourself what you could have done more to help save man's life.

I read somewhere years ago, that if you fall ill in a crowd situation or need help, the crowd will rely on someone else to do it. People don't want to get involved sadly for whatever reason (liability being a big one today) unless there is a good samaritan or trained professional nearby.

If you find yourself in that situation, and have the ability to think and speak, "appoint" someone to help you. Easier said than done, but that was the advice given in the article I read.

Without been rude and not taking away what you saw; I find it very hard to believe that in an airport there were no trained First Aiders at all????? Surely someone, somewhere, would have notified staff at least who would have been trained in first aid, or called an ambulance??? Seems a bit strange to me.

Without been rude and not taking away what you saw; I find it very hard to believe that in an airport there were no trained First Aiders at all????? Surely someone, somewhere, would have notified staff at least who would have been trained in first aid, or called an ambulance??? Seems a bit strange to me.

I hope I don't sound callous, but I wouldn't expect much from MBJ in a medical emergency like you described. In fact IMHO Jamaica is unfortunately a place that deserves more caution then many people appreciate.

I read somewhere years ago, that if you fall ill in a crowd situation or need help, the crowd will rely on someone else to do it. People don't want to get involved sadly for whatever reason (liability being a big one today) unless there is a good samaritan or trained professional nearby.

If you find yourself in that situation, and have the ability to think and speak, "appoint" someone to help you. Easier said than done, but that was the advice given in the article I read.

During my rescue class it was stressed time and time again... when someone is in such situation go and help. Guy is dead if you don't do nothing (as obvious from the story) and chances are he is dead even if you do everything you could and did it right.

If someone is not breathing or not having heart beat he is dead w/o your help. So step up and help, you can't make it worse.

I still don't understand OP. Why didn't he/she step up and help? At least call for help?

It was awful to witness this episode, since we all felt the man could've been saved had he been provided with proper medical care (if they had tried to find a doctor, a defibrillator, gotten an ambulance....) I hope they can make sure something like this never happens again... :(

We felt they had done something. I hope they make sure something....

Have you asked what you could have done? Or what you could do to make sure something like this never happens again?

Perhaps get trained in CPR and EFR?

I have CPR and EFR training and carry a decent first aid kit in my car. Granted first aid kit in my car wouldn't help but my time and effort put into getting trained sure couldn't hurt in such situation (as I would at least try to help after I've made sure I either call emergency services or make sure someone else does).

Sorry the OP post just rubbed me wrong way... it is always someone else should do something.

Did the gate agents actually see what happened? If not, did you or anyone else notify them immediately?

I am very surprised that they didn't rush to get the defibrillator from the plane.

Since 2004 all U.S. planes with more than 50 passengers and at least one flight attendant are required to carry a defibrillator on board, so the agents should have known that there is one available.

We had to make a line next to the dead man on the floor and board the plane. (

Three questions.

1) You lined up to board next to the dead man on the floor????? Like everyone else above me has said... You lined up next to the dead man, and STILL you didnt do anything yourself... like pick up a phone, find some authorities (I bet there were some by the passenger screening area!).

2) What does the fact that this mau have been the same man who was alledgedly drunk on the plane a week earlier have anything to do with situation #2.

3) Who administered the defibrillator... While they do have instructions on them, they should be administered by a professional.

I am very surprised that they didn't rush to get the defibrillator from the plane.


Perhaps a crew member could confirm this but if the emergency isn't actually on the airplane I don't believe any of the emergency equipment on board can be used. Once the seals are broken there are reams of paperwork which must be filled out.

Perhaps a crew member could confirm this but if the emergency isn't actually on the airplane I don't believe any of the emergency equipment on board can be used. Once the seals are broken there are reams of paperwork which must be filled out.

Obviously once SOMEONE asked for defibrillator FA actually got it. Problem is why for 25+ minutes OP didn't do anything and expected someone else to do something?

Perhaps a crew member could confirm this but if the emergency isn't actually on the airplane I don't believe any of the emergency equipment on board can be used. Once the seals are broken there are reams of paperwork which must be filled out.

C'mon... a life is a life. Screw the paper work surely?

And the PR for US Airways in saving the life would have been worth 1000x the paperwork.

I simply don't believe that any airline in the world would rather watch someone die than assist.

Of course it could be that the electrical input for plane based emergency equipment is not compatible to use in any other situation?

As per previous posters, having studies psychology at university it is known that in crisis situations there are several reasons why people do not help. It could be that either they assume someone else has already called the ambulance/police/doctor etc and unless you give clear instructions to an individual many will sit by. Or because they think they may act inappropriately... the video we saw showed a concerned neighbour bashing on a door to try and stop a domestic violence situation only to have the door opened and see the couple watching a movie (on which there was an argument and domestic violence). The person knocking on the door got abused and felt stupid.

Regards

lme ff

Three questions.

1) You lined up to board next to the dead man on the floor????? Like everyone else above me has said... You lined up next to the dead man, and STILL you didnt do anything yourself... like pick up a phone, find some authorities (I bet there were some by the passenger screening area!).

2) What does the fact that this mau have been the same man who was alledgedly drunk on the plane a week earlier have anything to do with situation #2.

3) Who administered the defibrillator... While they do have instructions on them, they should be administered by a professional.



1. I get what you all are saying. But this was not a situation of a crowd in the middle of a sidewalk. This is an airport, with lots of officials and strict regulations... even if it is in MBJ. The agents/authorities were all gathered around him, and so was a huge crowd. I don't know what exactly I could've done myself... even now. If I had known that airplanes are all equipped with defibrillators, I would've surely rushed to tell them. But I didn't, and I do kick myself for that. The point I was making was that the AUTHORITIES were completely inadequate.

I think the thing that infuriated all the passengers was the lack of official procedure set into place. They WERE allowed to bring the defibrillator out, they just didn't think to do it until it was too late.

2. The man being drunk on the plane TO MBJ was just another example of lack of procedure. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think people that are nearly passed out from drinking should not be allowed to board the plane, much less be served alcohol mid-flight. The attendants just didn't seem to give a crap...

3. It turned out at the end that there WAS a doctor on our flight. She just wasn't at the gate until right before boarding and didn't realize what's up. They gave her the defibrillator, but it was too late... Had they called over the loudspeaker for a doctor, I'm sure she (or someone else) would've come to help.
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I get what you are all saying... now... after the fact. But I honestly didn't think it was my place to go intervene in a grave situation, having no training in any medical services whatsoever. What was I supposed to do -- go tell them to call someone over the loudspeaker? How was I supposed to know there was no doctor on scene? How was I supposed to know they had a defibrillator just 200 feet away? All this came up AFTER we boarded, during a conversation with another passenger... I realized just how incapable the authorities had been....

Could someone just clarify one thing? Do the airport agents (the ones at the gate) work for US Airways? I'd assume so, based on their uniforms... this is why I think it's the fault of USAirways for not training their personnel...

So annamikme what are you going to do so you will be better equipped next time such situation arises? Might not be the airport. It might be a road somewhere w/o cell phone signal and w/o anyone else to drive by and help and your family member needed help.

I had my CPR/EFR training since I was in 7th grade. I had additional training at 18 (requirement for drivers license), a couple of years ago as a foster/adoptive parent and few months ago with addition of training as an oxygen provider. Defibrillator training is next.

Just for the reference. A friend of mine is an EMT. He performed over 100 CPRs in his life and only 4 were revived. My wife performed 2 (in OR never the less!) and both died.

So chances are slim in the first place.

So annamikme what are you going to do so you will be better equipped next time such situation arises? Might not be the airport. It might be a road somewhere w/o cell phone signal and w/o anyone else to drive by and help and your family member needed help.

I had my CPR/EFR training since I was in 7th grade. I had additional training at 18 (requirement for drivers license), a couple of years ago as a foster/adoptive parent and few months ago with addition of training as an oxygen provider. Defibrillator training is next.

Umm, I can assure you, I'm not the kind of person who stands on the sidelines when someone is in danger. The discussion of this incident somehow went in the direction of crowd psychology, etc... but I still don't get how that pertains to here. If you saw an EMT treating someone, you wouldn't jump in and start asking questions to make sure the EMT was well-qualified. The suggestion that I should've overstepped authorities in a foreign country's airport is kinda ridiculous.

If the man was unattended somewhere in the terminal, I would be there helping... be it a month ago or a month in the future. This is NOT what the situation at MBJ was. I'm mad the people in charge were so incapable....

Just for the reference. A friend of mine is an EMT. He performed over 100 CPRs in his life and only 4 were revived. My wife performed 2 (in OR never the less!) and both died.

So chances are slim in the first place.


Oh, and I agree about CPR - it rarely brings someone back. They did CPR for at least 20 minutes on this guy. He would've had a higher chance with a defibrillator... :(

The point I was making was that the AUTHORITIES were completely inadequate.
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this is why I think it's the fault of USAirways for not training their personnel...

OK... This is crazy.

Officials were already on the scene, yet you continue to blame USAirways for not training their personnel. Your gripe is that the USAirways gate agents should have known there was a defibrillator on board, and told the Jamaica officials what to do?

I dunno about you, but if I'm working for USAirways as an agent... once airport officials, or police, or someone else authoritative comes on scene, I'm pretty much going to let them do their jobs. At least in this country, once Police arrive on scene, its their scene to control.

OK... This is crazy.

Officials were already on the scene, yet you continue to blame USAirways for not training their personnel. Your gripe is that the USAirways gate agents should have known there was a defibrillator on board, and told the Jamaica officials what to do?

I dunno about you, but if I'm working for USAirways as an agent... once airport officials, or police, or someone else authoritative comes on scene, I'm pretty much going to let them do their jobs. At least in this country, once Police arrive on scene, its their scene to control.


Maybe I'm just terrible at properly describing something. There was no police. There were only USAir gate agents (perceived by me as "authorities"). They (along with the man's friend and wife) were all taking turns doing CPR.

Yes, I continue to blame USAir for 2 reasons:
1. They didn't announce for a doctor over the loudspeaker (I thought they had one, but apparently they didn't really look). There were people in the area of the shops, outside of the immediate gate area, among whom there could've been doctors.

2. They didn't get the defibrillator from the plane. Even one of flight attendants (who had been in the plane the entire time and missed the incident was livid about them not getting it). Even if the chance of it helping was 1/100, that man deserved that possibility to live...

I don't see why it's wrong to insist they come up with better procedures for emergency situations...

Okay, we get it. Next time, fly Delta.

Oh, and I agree about CPR - it rarely brings someone back. They did CPR for at least 20 minutes on this guy. He would've had a higher chance with a defibrillator... :(

20 minutes? That is nothing. Why did they stop?

Once you start CPR you do not stop until medical help arrives, you continue to provide it (or if you can't anymore due to being tired, but seems there was plenty of people like you who knew better and could continue with CPR or seek help and grab a defibrillator... oh wait, you didn't help, you just gripe here how others forgot or didn't know things (like there is defibrillator on the plane).

For example, place where I frequent is a local diving hole. It was January 1st in the middle of the winter. A small group of divers was in the water when the lost one. They did a search and couldn't locate (no bubbles as he was diving re-breather) him under or above water. So they went to the land and in the mean time few others arrived. So they started to visually search the surface. A body was located few hundred yards floating on the surface. One diver jumped in and swimming like crazy to get to him, few others were cleaning their truck bed of their dive gear and running around to the other side with first aid and O2 kits. When arrived on the other side (it was closer to drag him there) two more jumped in and helped first rescue diver with rescue breaths while dragging him to the shore (while someone called 911 during all this). When on the shore they started full CPR while providing O2 as well. Ambulance arrived and they did try defibrillator and took him to the hospital. Diver died despite all the efforts of so many.

Difference? Everyone at the scene was involved with providing some sort of help. They did not rely on someone else call the ambulance, they didn't rely on someone else providing CPR etc...

If I were in your position three things I would make sure it happens:

1. I would make sure that either me or confirm someone else did indeed call 110 (emergency number in Jamaica, I am sure you knew this before you left for Jamaica, right?)

2. After confirming #1 I would provide CPR until medical help arrives or make sure someone does. (did you know that chest compression to breath ratio is 30-2?) (Not just 20 minutes or so.

3. Make sure one is assigned to find a defibrillator (most airports do have them) while CPR is provided.

You state yourself didn't know any better than what it was provided by those on the scene, so why gripe? Why not make sure that you know better next time? (That you take CPR and Emergency First Response classes, perhaps even learn how to operate defibrillator. To make sure someone did call ambulance and help is on its way. To know that most airports and airplanes have defibrillators and other basic equipment. etc.)

Sure man could still be dead and most likely he would be. But griping what others could have done while you did nothing?

Sorry I don't have any sympathy for you for not providing help for fellow human. (I guess that the fact that he ruined your flight to Jamaica being drunk and showed up on a flight back drunk had something to do with it.)

Yes, I continue to blame USAir for 2 reasons:
1. They didn't announce for a doctor over the loudspeaker (I thought they had one, but apparently they didn't really look). There were people in the area of the shops, outside of the immediate gate area, among whom there could've been doctors.

Did you go around and yell for a doctor? You could have you know? Nothing is preventing you. Did you ask someone at the gate to page for one? You could have.

2. They didn't get the defibrillator from the plane. Even one of flight attendants (who had been in the plane the entire time and missed the incident was livid about them not getting it). Even if the chance of it helping was 1/100, that man deserved that possibility to live...

Did you got to the gate and asked for it? Or did that man not deserve any of your action?

I don't see why it's wrong to insist they come up with better procedures for emergency situations...

We are human. Like you people there might not have known or remembered certain things. But adequate help provided is better then perfect care withheld. They were people around who according to you did help some (and perhaps they didn't know any better), then there were people like you who just stood by and did nothing and then gripe about it.

So question still stands, what are you going to do to know better procedures in emergency situations?

Umm, I can assure you, I'm not the kind of person who stands on the sidelines when someone is in danger. The discussion of this incident somehow went in the direction of crowd psychology, etc... but I still don't get how that pertains to here. If you saw an EMT treating someone, you wouldn't jump in and start asking questions to make sure the EMT was well-qualified. The suggestion that I should've overstepped authorities in a foreign country's airport is kinda ridiculous.

But you did nothing. You said EMT was not on the scene, you said authorities were not there that it was wife and daughter helping the man. Now all of a sudden the story changes and there is EMT there and authorities? You saw that no-one was getting defibrillator and you did nothing? You didn't try to get one? You didn't see any doctors being summoned, yet you did not try to find one?

So are you or are you not kind of person who sat on the sidelines while this went on?

Perhaps a crew member could confirm this but if the emergency isn't actually on the airplane I don't believe any of the emergency equipment on board can be used. Once the seals are broken there are reams of paperwork which must be filled out.

I do not know what the procedures at US or other carriers are, however I can tell you at WN, a defibrillator from the aircraft can and has been used in the airport terminal before.

I do not know what the procedures at US or other carriers are, however I can tell you at WN, a defibrillator from the aircraft can and has been used in the airport terminal before.


Without a doubt we would take equipment off the plane to help someone in need!!!

I am very sorry to hear about this gentleman dying in MBJ. As far as him traveling drunk from BOS-MBJ, a couple people must have dropped the ball. We do not board drunks nor do we serve them. I have no problem denying a pax to board or cutting them off when I think they have had enough.

I'm not sure how many US agents we have in MBJ and how many are just contract workers.

Sad to say this pax would have been better off having his medical emergency on the aircraft. F/a's are trained and retrained every year on dealing with medical emergencies. I'm not sure what medical training agents receive. I do agree that CPR should not have been stopped until medical help had arrived.

Without a doubt we would take equipment off the plane to help someone in need!!!

I am very sorry to hear about this gentleman dying in MBJ. As far as him traveling drunk from BOS-MBJ, a couple people must have dropped the ball. We do not board drunks nor do we serve them. I have no problem denying a pax to board or cutting them off when I think they have had enough.

I'm not sure how many US agents we have in MBJ and how many are just contract workers.

Sad to say this pax would have been better off having his medical emergency on the aircraft. F/a's are trained and retrained every year on dealing with medical emergencies. I'm not sure what medical training agents receive. I do agree that CPR should not have been stopped until medical help had arrived.

Thanks, TahitiGirl!

I was recently traveling with a big group (40 ppl) and one of the girls passed out on the plane. I ran to help her, but even though she was a friend of mine, the FAs basically kicked me out, as they had found a doctor on the plane and needed everyone else in their seats. I think the FAs handled it very well. (The hardest part seemed to be keeping the other passengers in their seats, though). In general, I'm hoping USAir will start training the agents as well as the FAs. I just felt like him being denied boarding for being drunk on the way TO Jamaica might've been a wake-up call for him and he might've stayed in Boston and gotten better care...

I think when people see official personnel (at least this was true in my case) in a setting like an airport, we assume they're going to handle the situation and asking them questions would be rude and take away from their focus on the victim. It's a matter of taking control vs. respecting authority, and it's hard to know sometimes which way to go until after the fact...

The defib at MBJ is kept at the nurses station which is close to the customs hall, from memory. PM if you need to know more.
Spottie

Not sure why everyone seems to be getting on the OP for not being a doctor, knowing CPR, supervising a medical emergency, working with foreign authorities. That they didn't call ahead as just a flying passenger to find out the location of defibs within the airport.

Maybe I read the OP different, just seemed to point out that on the way there this person might have potentially been able to fly when maybe they shouldn't have been or been over served en route.

I also get that while maybe unrelated to what happened when boarding- weird to think "hey that was the person I saw on the way"

Then at the gate, their perception was that the responsible person's at the scene didn't have a cohesive action plan to deal with the situation.

Then instead of boarding delayed they continued with this tragedy still fresh. Seemed like they could have cleared fowks out for a bit.

Hate to hear about something like this (any person dying) especially with family.

I took the OP to just relay an unfortunate outcome and their perception of perhaps lack of response.

If you saw an EMT treating someone, you wouldn't jump in and start asking questions to make sure the EMT was well-qualified. The suggestion that I should've overstepped authorities in a foreign country's airport is kinda ridiculous.
Then why are you suggesting that USAirways personnel should have attempted to intervene-- especially given the fact that the episode was on the airport premises rather than in an area under USAirways' control?


Like iztok, I am now confused as you have changed your story. At the outset, you suggested that no one was in charge and US Airways' personnel from the a/c should have assumed control of a situation playing out on foreign soil. When it was then suggested that perhaps you could have taken some initiative, you suddenly mention that "authorities" from the "foreign country's airport" were, in fact, handling (perhaps ineptly) the situation. If your revised version is, indeed, factual, then it really is ludicrous that USAirways' personnel should have "overstepped aurhorities," because... as you correctly point out, that would be "kinda ridiculous."

Then why are you suggesting that USAirways personnel should have attempted to intervene-- especially given the fact that the episode was on the airport premises rather than in an area under USAirways' control?



that was just an example... to put things in perspective. (i.e. u wouldn't bother official personnel and distract them while they're doing their job, just cuz you think everyone should answer your questions to ur satisfaction).

There was no EMT until waaaaaaay later (as we were boarding)-- it was just gate agents, who in my eyes are viewed as authority at an airport.

that was just an example... to put things in perspective. (i.e. u wouldn't bother official personnel and distract them while they're doing their job, just cuz you think everyone should answer your questions to ur satisfaction).

There was no EMT until waaaaaaay later (as we were boarding)-- it was just gate agents, who in my eyes are viewed as authority at an airport.

GAs are authority when it comes to their job, but CPR/EFR is not their job (they might be trained but it is not their primary job). They might or might not be trained and they did best they could at that time. They might have not remembered that defibrillator might be available. But they did help while you stood by and did nothing. Adequate help provided is better than perfect care withheld!

My only concern here is who and why made a call to stop providing CPR after only 20 or so minutes before EMTs arrived. It is true, 20 minutes for one or two person CPR might be exhausting but there were other people around to ask to help.

You did never answer the questions what are you going to do so you will be able to help better next time? You going to get CPR/EFR training?

Wow! Some of the responses to the OP seem to be overly aggressive. They tend to ask "why didn't you do something". Well, there is something practical that the OP can still do now. It has to do with the situation on the BOS-MBJ flight. The FAA takes a dim view of airlines that allow drunks to board, let alone serving them alcohol on board when they appear to be intoxicated. Gate agents and flight attendants are trained to prevent this from happening. Granted, a gate agent may not notice that a passenger is drunk while he or she is busy but f/a s are in a better position to make a judgement call.
So this is what you do, annamikme: call or send an e-mail to the USAirways FAA Certificate Management Office and let them know what you saw in Boston and on the flight. The person you want to talk to or send your e-mail to is the Principal Operations Inspector. His contact is here:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/cmo/usair/media/employee_directory.pdf

This can be your constructive contribution to eliminate a future dangerous situation. I am sure the FAA will be interested. Let us know how it goes.

Wow! Some of the responses to the OP seem to be overly aggressive. They tend to ask "why didn't you do something". Well, there is something practical that the OP can still do now.

Sure can! Learn CPR/EFR.

Even with knowing CPR, many people have trouble with the idea of giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to an unknown stranger these days (wasn't really an issue back in 1992 when I took the CPR course but quickly became so not too many years later). A lot say it's a personal choice whether you want to or not. Not too sure if resuscitators are available everywhere.

I just took a CPR class from an SFO fireman at the SFO airport. The SFO airport has over 40 defibrillators throughout the airport. Once they are removed from the wall an automatic alarm sounds at the fire station, sending the EMT to the scene.

The airport defibrillators are battery operated. The instructions are simple and easy to use. The hardest part is remembering to turn on the machine. The machine will only administer a shock if the heart will respond.

The defibrillators on board aircrafts are also battery operated.

Even with knowing CPR, many people have trouble with the idea of giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to an unknown stranger these days (wasn't really an issue back in 1992 when I took the CPR course but quickly became so not too many years later). A lot say it's a personal choice whether you want to or not. Not too sure if resuscitators are available everywhere.

Here is one solution: http://www.med-worldwide.com/cpr-barriers-c3782

I usually carry one of those with me. Car has first aid kit that includes mask with O2 port. I don't (yet) carry O2 tank in the car but that too will change soon as I am slowly putting O2 kit together.

More than air it is important to administer chest compressions to circulate blood. (Well when rescuing diving victim providing air/oxygen while on the surface of the water is important too as you can't detect pulse or really provide chest compressions in the water.)

Even with knowing CPR, many people have trouble with the idea of giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to an unknown stranger these days (wasn't really an issue back in 1992 when I took the CPR course but quickly became so not too many years later). A lot say it's a personal choice whether you want to or not. Not too sure if resuscitators are available everywhere.

Recent changes to the CPR protocol indicate the compressions are more important than the breathing if the heart has stopped.

I suspect everyone is familiar with the song "Staying Alive" - the song has 103 beats per minute. If one needs to, provide compressions to the beat of "Staying Alive" to get 100 compressions in per minute.

Most airports, at least here in the US have AED's. They are automatic and only provide a shock under certain criteria.

As to the OP, I see where you're coming from. I think a few people here are being a bit heavy handed with their responses. With hope, this incident will trigger a review of emergency procedures at Montego Bay. Sounds AED's should be placed through-out the airport and airport staff should be trained on their locations, usage -- and I encourage everyone to learn CPR.

I read somewhere years ago, that if you fall ill in a crowd situation or need help, the crowd will rely on someone else to do it. People don't want to get involved sadly for whatever reason (liability being a big one today) unless there is a good samaritan or trained professional nearby.

If you find yourself in that situation, and have the ability to think and speak, "appoint" someone to help you. Easier said than done, but that was the advice given in the article I read.

It called the Bystander Effect, it came from the Kitty Genovese case.

Looking at incident #1, "drunk pax" and #2, collapse of same man a week later, one might conclude the possibility of some relationship between the two incidents, that this guy's incapacity aboard the flight might have causes other than booze (or was only aggravated by booze).

MBJ is not SFO, and the availability of defibs in smaller or foreign airports is anything but a given, just as trained EMTs are unlikely to be on hand and EMS/ambulance service a long way from what we might expect.

Last, all the CPR in the world, and the best of defibs cannot revive every"heart attack" victim (if the event was totally heart related, there being other somewhat similar medical crises).

As for USAir's personnel, what should/could they have done? They certainly could not move or remove the body (legally the province and responsibility of "Jamaican authorities" -beside whom even the most blunder-prone of US bureaucrats or TSA staff rank as Warren Buffets) , and holding the flight would have only caused missed connections and worse travel experiences. Death is never pretty or pleasant, and our culture has increasingly isolated us and our children from the worst aspects of it occurring close at hand and visible (but on TV, unlike the "real thing").

Unfortunately, vacations can be extremely stressful, exactly the opposite of what was intended. Just as witnessing a gory highway crash helps me to drive more carefully, the moments during which I've witnessed these kind of incidents encourage me to 'de-stress" when possible and get regularmedical examinations.

It could have been you. It could have been me.

The sad truth is that your chance of survival decreases by 11% every minute that your heart is not beating (AHA says 8-10%, most studies say 10-14%). CPR has not proven effective to decrease this percentage. Even perfect CPR only provides about 20% of the efficacy of the heart beating on it's own, so if there had been even a cardiologist and a paramedic next to the patient as he fell, the outcome would likely be the same. Without a true EMS system (which Jamaica does not have) and a true emergency department with a cath lab (again....not in Jamaica), there is little that could have been done.

ok this is uber old thread... but
I feel bad for the OP who suffered the first rule of FT soooo inappropriately....

OP not trained for medical emergencies and relaying a sad story of a drunk dude who DIES with slow response of paramedics etc, and then OP gets flak for not

-finding a defibrillator
-performing mouth to mouth
-calling Jamaican EMS in an airport with GA's watching

seriously ...

I think the flak was for the OP suggesting that "they" should have done something while OP was sitting doing nothing, rather than the OP actually doing anything wrong.

The fact there wasn't a defibrillator present may not mean much, you assume that the guy had a shockable rhythm. If he really was asystolic CPR and then potentially cardioversion would be advisable.

ok this is uber old thread...

seriously ...

Yes indeed!