Originally Posted by
clubord
No. We use our discretion based on the feedback we are receiving from the FA’s. There’s obviously a different sense of urgency between someone with acute chest pains and one that is air sick. Our response is dependent on the situation.
I fly a lot of JNB/CPT. The diversion alternatives south of the equator are not great. Medlink has been involved in a few of my flights this year, the thought of diverting to Dakar, Senegal or the Ascension Islands for medical care is daunting at best - fortunately it never came to that.
A buddy of mine from medical school was the USAF Medical Officer on the Ascension Islands for a while and he always said that the hospital in Georgetown was small, but could handle most medical conditions, but anything major would be a struggle.