Podcast #284: Plane Emergencies

Author: Erik Verzemneicks, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• 1/600 flights has an on-board request for medical assistance.
• Most common complaints on board include: syncope, respiratory complaints, and GI complaints. Most of the time, these are exacerbations of underlying chronic conditions.
• Except for situations involving gross negligence, the Aviation Assistance Act protects providers from legal action as long as they are acting within their scope of practice.
• Flight crew are CPR and AED trained.
• The onboard medical kit includes: epinephrine, dextrose, nitroglycerin, NSAIDs, injectable antihistamine, antiemetic, steroids, beta-blocker,  aspirin, stethoscope, BP cuff, airway tools, thermometer and more.
• There is ground-based medical control for consult and guidance.

References: https://www.acep.org/Clinical---Practice-Management/Emergency-at-30,000-Feet---What-You-Can-Do/#sm.0001eqpidqrpoczltzg1epg0m0aqu