Medical emergency on flight - discussion and experiences
Apr 19, 2011, 3:32 pm
#61
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 68
- a EMT (I assume your referring to a EMT-B or Basic, as EMT can cover the Basic, Intermediate(EMT-I), and Paramedic (EMT-P) levels) is going to be very limited in what they can do as the scope of practice is narrow so anything beyond some O's, snapping a Blood Sugar or Vital Signs is really going to be limited unless online medical control wants to do over the phone orders and do guidance or practice and procedure (In this day and age of liability and malpractice insurance not likely)
We are allowed to do more with medical direction- not something that happens often. But, I'd imagine that if a plane was half way over the Atlantic and we needed a nitro, control would give us access to the medical bag, no? (assuming that B was the highest level medical prof. on the plane?)
Either way, my favorite medical (which happened about two days after passing my certification test, thank god there was a dr. onboard) was HNL-LAX.
A woman dinged the FA, her husband was unresponsive. "Are there any Medical Professional's onboard?" Me and one other guy, like I said, thank god he was there- though I would have been able to handle this one, it would have been nerve wracking as all get-out.
Dr. goes up, "Sir? Sir?" Breath sounds, checks pupils with flash light- guy comes to.
"What the..."
"Sir, do you know where you are?"
*Guy turns bright red- looks like this-
*"GOD $@#@IT DORIS! YOU KNEW I TOOK A SLEEPING PILL"
Apr 19, 2011, 3:44 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: AA PLT, 1.8mm
Posts: 6,988
Apr 19, 2011, 4:13 pm
#64
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 126
A pax had a mild heart attack several years ago from SFO to LAX. Upon arriving the captain asked all passengers to remain seated so the paramedics could attend to the victim.
At least 5 people grabbed their bags and refused to go back to their seats or step out of the aisle for the emergency personnel. I was stunned. The paramedics figured it would be faster to de-board and let these people off and then attend to the afflicted pax.
At least 5 people grabbed their bags and refused to go back to their seats or step out of the aisle for the emergency personnel. I was stunned. The paramedics figured it would be faster to de-board and let these people off and then attend to the afflicted pax.
Apr 19, 2011, 4:13 pm
#65
Join Date: May 2002
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG; WN A-List; Marriott Plat; IHG Plat; HH Diamond; all the rest
Posts: 650
In March 2006, was on a KL A330 flying AMS-IAD, when the "doctor on board?" call went out.
About 5 minutes later with no announcement, the plane whipped (as much as an A330 can) into a hard right turn. I checked the moving map and said to future Mrs. DCA-SEA, "I bet we're going to Iceland!"
Sure enough, the pilot came on a few minutes later and said that we were diverting to KEF for a medical emergency. Sunny weather, so we got some nice views and good pictures out of the door of the plane.
On approach to IAD about 3 hours late, we talked to the FA seated across from us in the jump seat at the exit row. Apparently the pax had had a heart attack and was turning blue, but was revived by the time we reached KEF. The pilot announced during the taxi at IAD that the pax was recovering at the hospital in Reykjavik.
About 5 minutes later with no announcement, the plane whipped (as much as an A330 can) into a hard right turn. I checked the moving map and said to future Mrs. DCA-SEA, "I bet we're going to Iceland!"
Sure enough, the pilot came on a few minutes later and said that we were diverting to KEF for a medical emergency. Sunny weather, so we got some nice views and good pictures out of the door of the plane.
On approach to IAD about 3 hours late, we talked to the FA seated across from us in the jump seat at the exit row. Apparently the pax had had a heart attack and was turning blue, but was revived by the time we reached KEF. The pilot announced during the taxi at IAD that the pax was recovering at the hospital in Reykjavik.
Apr 19, 2011, 4:57 pm
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: I miss NW, TW
Posts: 4,828
So why are optometrists calling themselves "optometric physician"? It's because they are trying to be ophthalmologists without going to medical school. It's frightening. Physician, my foot.
Apr 19, 2011, 5:04 pm
#67
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: FLL
Posts: 1,679
I have responded to medical requests on flights a few times.
Once diverted to Keflavik. Another time, a heart attack where the sick man insisted that he had to get to his destination and not divert. I didn't want to use airline lingo and say "do you want to go straight to your final destination, which is heaven or hell?"
Yet another time, an asthma attack. Once there was turbulence and a woman's head hit the ceiling. Still another time, a nurse insisted she was in control and told the flight attendant to tell the doctors to sit down. That was a little pushy.
Compensation has been varied ranging from nothing (very common), a letter of thanks, 5,000 bonus miles, and a $100 voucher a long time ago.
Once diverted to Keflavik. Another time, a heart attack where the sick man insisted that he had to get to his destination and not divert. I didn't want to use airline lingo and say "do you want to go straight to your final destination, which is heaven or hell?"
Yet another time, an asthma attack. Once there was turbulence and a woman's head hit the ceiling. Still another time, a nurse insisted she was in control and told the flight attendant to tell the doctors to sit down. That was a little pushy.
Compensation has been varied ranging from nothing (very common), a letter of thanks, 5,000 bonus miles, and a $100 voucher a long time ago.
Apr 19, 2011, 5:17 pm
#68
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,615
So why are optometrists calling themselves "optometric physician"? It's because they are trying to be ophthalmologists without going to medical school. It's frightening. Physician, my foot.
Apr 19, 2011, 5:52 pm
#69
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: I miss NW, TW
Posts: 4,828
The DO reference is to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, not an optometrist.
Apr 19, 2011, 6:47 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Once again the answer is no, the medical bag can only be used by Physican, Medics and RN's. This is standard through out all US airlines.
As an EMT-B, thanks for clearing that up. Though EMT-B scope of practice varies pretty widely by state-
We are allowed to do more with medical direction- not something that happens often. But, I'd imagine that if a plane was half way over the Atlantic and we needed a nitro, control would give us access to the medical bag, no? (assuming that B was the highest level medical prof. on the plane?)
Either way, my favorite medical (which happened about two days after passing my certification test, thank god there was a dr. onboard) was HNL-LAX.
A woman dinged the FA, her husband was unresponsive. "Are there any Medical Professional's onboard?" Me and one other guy, like I said, thank god he was there- though I would have been able to handle this one, it would have been nerve wracking as all get-out.
Dr. goes up, "Sir? Sir?" Breath sounds, checks pupils with flash light- guy comes to.
"What the..."
"Sir, do you know where you are?"
*Guy turns bright red- looks like this-*
"GOD $@#@IT DORIS! YOU KNEW I TOOK A SLEEPING PILL"
We are allowed to do more with medical direction- not something that happens often. But, I'd imagine that if a plane was half way over the Atlantic and we needed a nitro, control would give us access to the medical bag, no? (assuming that B was the highest level medical prof. on the plane?)
Either way, my favorite medical (which happened about two days after passing my certification test, thank god there was a dr. onboard) was HNL-LAX.
A woman dinged the FA, her husband was unresponsive. "Are there any Medical Professional's onboard?" Me and one other guy, like I said, thank god he was there- though I would have been able to handle this one, it would have been nerve wracking as all get-out.
Dr. goes up, "Sir? Sir?" Breath sounds, checks pupils with flash light- guy comes to.
"What the..."
"Sir, do you know where you are?"
*Guy turns bright red- looks like this-
*"GOD $@#@IT DORIS! YOU KNEW I TOOK A SLEEPING PILL"
Apr 19, 2011, 7:45 pm
#71
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 68
Do you work for MedLink? Where are you getting this from?
I cannot find policy in FAR or in my old SOP's to deny allowing a non Dr. to open the kit even with online medical direction. I've seen that some kits have a placard that says "only to be opened by a Dr." or something to that effect.
Wouldn't an airline disallowing a trained EMT-B or even P to open a medical kit with a possible life saving intervention assume liability for the patient?
Further, The Aviation Medical Assistance Act by Congress specifically protects state-qualified EMTs and paramedics, along with physicians, nurses and physician assistants when they volunteer in an ME.
I just have a hard time swallowing that online medical can't approve opening an EMK...
Apr 19, 2011, 7:52 pm
#72
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 68
From FAA circular 121-33B
Flight attendants should grant access to the equipment only to trained crewmembers or to other persons qualified and trained in the use of emergency medical equipment. The decision to allow
passengers to assist another passenger and have access to medical equipment is up to the air carrier and its agents. The FAA does not attempt to define the various medical specialties under8/14/02 AC 121-33 Par 11 Page 5 part 121 because it limits access to the extent that the only person available to assist on a flight might not be included. It would be preferable for flight attendants to check the credentials of passengers holding themselves out as medical specialists.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/82c231fbaba1cf3e86256c2a004c7f3b/$FILE/AC121-33.pdf
And here's a great thread full of people who would disagree that only a DR RN or EMT-P can oepn the bag
"MedLinki can make that decision, too. Not just the captain. I have had to use the EEMK, without a doctor onboard (rare as that may be) under the supervision of MedLink." From someone who seemed to be a FA.
Last edited by sangria; Apr 19, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Apr 19, 2011, 10:55 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 13
I've helped out a few times, but as a surgeon I also tend to defer to any internists on board. I've never received compensation other than one FA gave my daughters a snack from the first class cabin.
Most of my travel is to medical conferences, so there are always a lot of physicians on board.
One of my friends was returning to Seattle from a meeting when he responded to a call. When he went back it turned out that the patient was actually one of his colleagues returning from the same meeting. Had to divert, and got off the plane to accompany his friend to the hospital.
Most of my travel is to medical conferences, so there are always a lot of physicians on board.
One of my friends was returning to Seattle from a meeting when he responded to a call. When he went back it turned out that the patient was actually one of his colleagues returning from the same meeting. Had to divert, and got off the plane to accompany his friend to the hospital.
Apr 20, 2011, 12:34 am
#75
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 33
I would have had some VERY loud words for those pax's.
Words like:
Sit down you pieces of #$%@! Imagine if that was your mother! SHAME! SHAME!