Is there a Doctor on board
May 19, 2009, 5:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Honolulu
Programs: UA 1K 1.7mm
Posts: 449
Is there a Doctor on board
I have flown HKG to EWR once a month for the two years. On about 3 out 4 flights there is a PSA for a doctor on board. Any ideas?
Is it the food,the air, or lack there of. Or maybe the sardine effect?
Is it the food,the air, or lack there of. Or maybe the sardine effect?
May 19, 2009, 5:07 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: 27 minutes north of EWR (on a good day)
Programs: UA PLAT, SPG PLAT. Collector of Chase UR points
Posts: 11,527
I have had this a few times on flights through the years. if you fly enough it's bound to happen. People can get sick, have MI's, pass out, have a stroke, ect.
May 19, 2009, 5:35 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 61,270
I have personally been the "doctor on board" (and I'm a radiologist 
) 4 times in the last ten years. All were on domestic/caribbean.
One time I got a bit angry b/c the onboard medical kit had blood a pressure cuff was broken (not just non-functional but the pressure meter had obviously been "harvested").
Anyhow........ 4/4 ended up being transient episodes of panic/ lightheadedness. Not a serious event in the bunch. *breathes sigh of relief*
) 4 times in the last ten years. All were on domestic/caribbean.One time I got a bit angry b/c the onboard medical kit had blood a pressure cuff was broken (not just non-functional but the pressure meter had obviously been "harvested").
Anyhow........ 4/4 ended up being transient episodes of panic/ lightheadedness. Not a serious event in the bunch. *breathes sigh of relief*
May 19, 2009, 7:11 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 219
Sometimes, Medical Emergencies are due to people making poor choices to travel when ill.
May 19, 2009, 7:21 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,951
I have personally been the "doctor on board" (and I'm a radiologist ) 4 times in the last ten years. All were on domestic/caribbean.
One time I got a bit angry b/c the onboard medical kit had blood a pressure cuff was broken (not just non-functional but the pressure meter had obviously been "harvested").
Anyhow........ 4/4 ended up being transient episodes of panic/ lightheadedness. Not a serious event in the bunch. *breathes sigh of relief*
) 4 times in the last ten years. All were on domestic/caribbean.One time I got a bit angry b/c the onboard medical kit had blood a pressure cuff was broken (not just non-functional but the pressure meter had obviously been "harvested").
Anyhow........ 4/4 ended up being transient episodes of panic/ lightheadedness. Not a serious event in the bunch. *breathes sigh of relief*
May 19, 2009, 7:26 am
#6
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
May 19, 2009, 7:33 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: A menace to everything in the sky. Yes. Even birds.
Programs: Eh+ Rapid Rolleyes
Posts: 14,519
Legally there might be an interesting situation if someone "helped" with the expectation of compensation for their services. The good Samaritan clause (which I know has ill-defined meaning) would more or less be eradicated if it could be proven you helped with the expectation of compensation. I've heard (on FT) that DL sends gift baskets to those that help.
dergon - was it you that helped out on a JFK - LAS flight on US a couple years ago when a patient presented with "chest pain"? It was myself and a radiologist that assisted.
May 19, 2009, 7:54 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: 40° 41' 45" N - 74° 10' 18" W
Programs: UALCO Holdings General Member
Posts: 18,784
Im Dr. Van Nostrand, from the clinic.
May 19, 2009, 8:01 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: A menace to everything in the sky. Yes. Even birds.
Programs: Eh+ Rapid Rolleyes
Posts: 14,519
May 19, 2009, 10:33 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 61,270
It's me, Dr. Rosenpenis. Where's the record's room?
Nope ----actually I have never flown into or out of LFK before.
What? Are there supposed to be two medical kits? If so, that was never offerred to me as an alternative.
Nope. FAs were professional during the course of the incidents but never effusive with thanks. Some nearby passengers gave pats on the back. Never received any drinks, UG, notes, or even specific thanks upon deplaning. But then again, when it has happenned in the past I'm usually just happy that none of the crew have called me to the carpet for practicing medicne with a blood alcohol 0.20% and 10 mg of valium on board. 
dergon - was it you that helped out on a JFK - LAS flight on US a couple years ago when a patient presented with "chest pain"? It was myself and a radiologist that assisted.
Both of them?
I was curious to know if after your help in the situation the crew was extra thankful to you, like offering to sit in F or can we have your info to send TY letter etc.
May 19, 2009, 10:49 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: EWR-N.Haledon NJ
Programs: CO Platinum
Posts: 1,134
To the OP, you probably heard one of them for my daughter.
Back in February
Sat., Feb. 21, 2009:
CO98 departing HKG at 11:25 a.m. arriving EWR at 1:50 p.m.
My 7 year old daughter had picked up some nasty bug bites in HKG. On the flight back over northern China the bites turned into huge nasty welts. I asked the FA for some Benadryl and for liability purposes they declined so my wife understandably took it to the next level. Got a physician on the flight to administer Benadryl from the inflight kit and all was well.
Sure woke up the plane though.
Back in February
Sat., Feb. 21, 2009:
CO98 departing HKG at 11:25 a.m. arriving EWR at 1:50 p.m.
My 7 year old daughter had picked up some nasty bug bites in HKG. On the flight back over northern China the bites turned into huge nasty welts. I asked the FA for some Benadryl and for liability purposes they declined so my wife understandably took it to the next level. Got a physician on the flight to administer Benadryl from the inflight kit and all was well.
Sure woke up the plane though.
May 19, 2009, 10:58 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 219
Perhaps the alcohol and Valium affected your hearing the crew offer the other BP cuff???
May 19, 2009, 11:00 am
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 61,270
I must have had an old kit. I think the flight was CLE-FLL circa 2000. The kit was a metal box, iirc
May 19, 2009, 11:06 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA PP (47% MM), HH Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 548
May 19, 2009, 1:03 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 74
In 23 years of dealing with medical problems onboard, not one has been related to the food, the air, the lack of air, the sardine effect, etc.. It has been an issue the customer had prior to boarding. 100% of the time, at least with me.
I am grateful, though, for those who assist with any medical issue. My hats off to all those who have helped and continue to help (this includes those at MedLink).