Medical Emergency on DL Flight
Jun 9, 2016, 5:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
Medical Emergency on DL Flight
Was in FC this morning on a EWR->ATL shuttle and during the last 35 minutes of the flight, there was a passenger with a medical emergency. The passenger felt extremely light headed and was making his way to the front bathroom when they collapsed backwards in the aisle.
FA's immediately came to the rescue and called over the loud speaker for a medical professional on the flight. There was a first responder available who came to aid. Fortunately, it appeared to be either a mild panic attack or a diabetic issue and was nothing major - however this got me thinking.
During this time, because there was no actual M.D on board, they had brought out long wires and a Sat Comm. phone to speak with presumably doctor/nurse/other medical professional on the ground. It actually took them 2 or 3 tries to get ahold of them and on the line.
At what point do regulations require them to ground a plane immediately?
Again, fortunately it appeared to be nothing serious, but in the event of a serious issue, my concern is what is proper protocol in the event it had been something major?
FA's immediately came to the rescue and called over the loud speaker for a medical professional on the flight. There was a first responder available who came to aid. Fortunately, it appeared to be either a mild panic attack or a diabetic issue and was nothing major - however this got me thinking.
During this time, because there was no actual M.D on board, they had brought out long wires and a Sat Comm. phone to speak with presumably doctor/nurse/other medical professional on the ground. It actually took them 2 or 3 tries to get ahold of them and on the line.
At what point do regulations require them to ground a plane immediately?
Again, fortunately it appeared to be nothing serious, but in the event of a serious issue, my concern is what is proper protocol in the event it had been something major?
Jun 9, 2016, 6:03 pm
#2
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Was in FC this morning on a EWR->ATL shuttle and during the last 35 minutes of the flight, there was a passenger with a medical emergency. The passenger felt extremely light headed and was making his way to the front bathroom when they collapsed backwards in the aisle.
FA's immediately came to the rescue and called over the loud speaker for a medical professional on the flight. There was a first responder available who came to aid. Fortunately, it appeared to be either a mild panic attack or a diabetic issue and was nothing major - however this got me thinking.
During this time, because there was no actual M.D on board, they had brought out long wires and a Sat Comm. phone to speak with presumably doctor/nurse/other medical professional on the ground. It actually took them 2 or 3 tries to get ahold of them and on the line.
At what point do regulations require them to ground a plane immediately?
Again, fortunately it appeared to be nothing serious, but in the event of a serious issue, my concern is what is proper protocol in the event it had been something major?
FA's immediately came to the rescue and called over the loud speaker for a medical professional on the flight. There was a first responder available who came to aid. Fortunately, it appeared to be either a mild panic attack or a diabetic issue and was nothing major - however this got me thinking.
During this time, because there was no actual M.D on board, they had brought out long wires and a Sat Comm. phone to speak with presumably doctor/nurse/other medical professional on the ground. It actually took them 2 or 3 tries to get ahold of them and on the line.
At what point do regulations require them to ground a plane immediately?
Again, fortunately it appeared to be nothing serious, but in the event of a serious issue, my concern is what is proper protocol in the event it had been something major?
Jun 9, 2016, 6:54 pm
#3
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Most (all?) flights I've been on I've noticed a sat phone in the coat closet in FC (at least on domestic birds) which I assume is for this particular purpose.
Though I am not an airline expert by any means, I guess I had always thought that the FAs would also be keeping the captain informed, and he/she made any decisions on whether to divert, etc., of course in communication with the relevant folks on the ground.
Though I am not an airline expert by any means, I guess I had always thought that the FAs would also be keeping the captain informed, and he/she made any decisions on whether to divert, etc., of course in communication with the relevant folks on the ground.
Jun 9, 2016, 6:59 pm
#4
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Was in FC this morning on a EWR->ATL shuttle and during the last 35 minutes of the flight, there was a passenger with a medical emergency. The passenger felt extremely light headed and was making his way to the front bathroom when they collapsed backwards in the aisle.
FA's immediately came to the rescue and called over the loud speaker for a medical professional on the flight. There was a first responder available who came to aid. Fortunately, it appeared to be either a mild panic attack or a diabetic issue and was nothing major - however this got me thinking.
During this time, because there was no actual M.D on board, they had brought out long wires and a Sat Comm. phone to speak with presumably doctor/nurse/other medical professional on the ground. It actually took them 2 or 3 tries to get ahold of them and on the line.
At what point do regulations require them to ground a plane immediately?
Again, fortunately it appeared to be nothing serious, but in the event of a serious issue, my concern is what is proper protocol in the event it had been something major?
FA's immediately came to the rescue and called over the loud speaker for a medical professional on the flight. There was a first responder available who came to aid. Fortunately, it appeared to be either a mild panic attack or a diabetic issue and was nothing major - however this got me thinking.
During this time, because there was no actual M.D on board, they had brought out long wires and a Sat Comm. phone to speak with presumably doctor/nurse/other medical professional on the ground. It actually took them 2 or 3 tries to get ahold of them and on the line.
At what point do regulations require them to ground a plane immediately?
Again, fortunately it appeared to be nothing serious, but in the event of a serious issue, my concern is what is proper protocol in the event it had been something major?
Jun 9, 2016, 7:09 pm
#5
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That's why they call the person in charge "Captain". The Captain gets advice from the the medical team on the ground, any medical people on board, crew, and ops. and makes a judgment call. Sometimes its a tough call. But, landing a large aircraft with 180 people onboard "immediatly" doesn't happen. So, it's about balancing risk.
Among the considerations on your flight is that even if the passenger needs sophisticated attention, 35 minutes to ATL may be better than 15 minutes to some diversion airport.
Among the considerations on your flight is that even if the passenger needs sophisticated attention, 35 minutes to ATL may be better than 15 minutes to some diversion airport.
Jun 9, 2016, 7:11 pm
#6
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Not sure if this is still the case, but I am thinking it is. Northwest had a hotline to the Mayo Hospital in Rochester MN. They could call and get instant information on how they should handle.
Anyone know if this is still true?
Anyone know if this is still true?
Jun 9, 2016, 7:26 pm
#7
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Jun 9, 2016, 7:43 pm
#10
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Here's the way my airline people have described such things. If they are in flight and call an 'expert' they call the STAT-MD service of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (also may be called on the ground):
http://www.emergencymedicine.pitt.ed...ication-center (Thanks to Widgets helping me update their branding.)
If deemed necessary to land or return to the origin airport, there would be a cohort of decision makers including the flight deck and the flight's dispatchers who could advise on things like appropriate diversion points. (Just as manufacturer reps and the like would be involved in discussions of an in-flight maintenance issue, if time allows.)
I could give you all kinds of examples from friends who were on flights w such incidents (medical and maintenance), or airline professionals who have handled them. But the bottom line is, people are making these decisions, and despite all the facts and all the circumstances, ultimately it comes down to an educated judgement call.
Case in point - a few years back my brother was on a DL flight ATL-(somewhere in Italy) and about 1.5 hours out of ATL an elderly man seated near him 'slumped over into the aisle.' After some commotion the flight, a fully-loaded, international 767, landed in ORF, blowing tires on landing. Pax had to overnight there to wait for new tires to be flown in (at the airline's expense for food and room) then make a stop at JFK the next day for new catering as ORF didn't have the capacity for such (for an international flight). My brother has no idea what happened to the ill man, only that he wasn't on the continuing flight the next day. I've asked DL dispatchers/others about that (in general, none worked that flight) and they basically said....a human, or group of humans, took the data and made that call to divert.
http://www.emergencymedicine.pitt.ed...ication-center (Thanks to Widgets helping me update their branding.)
If deemed necessary to land or return to the origin airport, there would be a cohort of decision makers including the flight deck and the flight's dispatchers who could advise on things like appropriate diversion points. (Just as manufacturer reps and the like would be involved in discussions of an in-flight maintenance issue, if time allows.)
I could give you all kinds of examples from friends who were on flights w such incidents (medical and maintenance), or airline professionals who have handled them. But the bottom line is, people are making these decisions, and despite all the facts and all the circumstances, ultimately it comes down to an educated judgement call.
Case in point - a few years back my brother was on a DL flight ATL-(somewhere in Italy) and about 1.5 hours out of ATL an elderly man seated near him 'slumped over into the aisle.' After some commotion the flight, a fully-loaded, international 767, landed in ORF, blowing tires on landing. Pax had to overnight there to wait for new tires to be flown in (at the airline's expense for food and room) then make a stop at JFK the next day for new catering as ORF didn't have the capacity for such (for an international flight). My brother has no idea what happened to the ill man, only that he wasn't on the continuing flight the next day. I've asked DL dispatchers/others about that (in general, none worked that flight) and they basically said....a human, or group of humans, took the data and made that call to divert.
Last edited by PRWeezer; Jun 9, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Jun 9, 2016, 8:25 pm
#11
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The pilot is always in command.
In today's world an MD, is not a life saver...EMT or Nurse might be a much better deal.
MD's are often specialist in other areas,
if I have any general problem I often ask the Doctors Nurse, she tends to know what flu bug is going around.
In today's world an MD, is not a life saver...EMT or Nurse might be a much better deal.
MD's are often specialist in other areas,
if I have any general problem I often ask the Doctors Nurse, she tends to know what flu bug is going around.
Jun 9, 2016, 8:32 pm
#12
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Was diverted on a very high priority/fuel heavy 77L on ATL-DXB 1 hour into flight last year after dumping fuel for almost 40 minutes. Can read about it here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...our-delay.html
Jun 9, 2016, 8:57 pm
#13
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Given they were probably minutes away from their initial descent, I would say go they would head to their destination. I've been on flight with medicals, both mid flight and close to take off or landing. Either way, it's impressive after you land how quickly you get to the gate.
Jun 9, 2016, 9:00 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
Given they were probably minutes away from their initial descent, I would say go they would head to their destination. I've been on flight with medicals, both mid flight and close to take off or landing. Either way, it's impressive after you land how quickly you get to the gate.
Jun 9, 2016, 11:18 pm
#15
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My only medical was a Virgin Atlantic 747 JFK-LGW way back, probably 1985 or 86. Diabetic teen had his vial of insulin break in it's little protective pack, and he was getting quite ill. FAs paged the whole, full a/c if anyone else was carrying insulin. Nope. They made the call/negotiation to land at Shannon. This was in a stressful time in Irish-UK relations, and we were met at the gate by paramedics who boarded, administered insulin, and got off. The a/c was surrounded by 8-10 army guys in fatigues the whole time we were parked. Plane was refueled with us on board, and we took off for LGW, probably all told a 60-75 minute delay, IIRC.