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Taking a plane to reach your destination is a convenient and fast way to travel. Being above ground can be exciting until the unexpected happens you or another passenger experiences a medical emergency. The last thing you want to consider is fainting, or heart concerns while in mid-air, not knowing when you will land. Read on to discover what happens when you have a medical emergency on a plane.

What are Common In-Flight Medical Emergencies?

In a world where using flights has become a shared experience, it’s important to be prepared for the types of medical emergencies you may be vulnerable to. While the cabin crew can manage most emergencies, there are instances where they might be life-threatening. These are common in-flight medical emergencies:

• Breathing difficulties.
• Heart problems such as heart palpitations.
• Chest pains.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Allergic reactions.

Warning Signs of a Medical Emergency on a Plane

Research suggests that the air pressure when flying high above ground can affect how quickly medical emergencies escalate. This makes it critical to know when warning signs might require immediate intervention from the cabin crew. In most cases, warning signs for common in-flight medical emergencies include:

• Feeling suddenly weak and confused.
• Uncontrolled nose bleeds or seizures.
• Intense abdominal or chest pains.
• Severe leg swelling or redness indicating signs of deep vein thrombosis.

How is the Cabin Crew Trained for Emergencies?

Did you know that knowing advanced first aid techniques is a requirement before you can work as part of the cabin crew? They can provide immediate assistance when passengers become suddenly unwell or injured during a flight. Most importantly, they understand the precautions to be taken when they are made aware of specific warning signs.

Each cabin crew needs to know how to perform advanced CPR and use medical devices like defibrillators to assist anyone who might require prompt action when they’re experiencing a life-threatening and irregular heartbeat. In addition, their training consists of ways to notice physical changes and symptoms in passengers who might be vulnerable to health concerns while flying. This extensive training ensures passengers are in the hands of a crew that can provide immediate emergency response, especially when having a medical professional isn’t always guaranteed.

How Ground Staff Bridges the Gap

Depending on the nature of the medical emergency, there are instances where a response might be required outside the capacity of the cabin crew. In such cases, direct communication with ground-based medical personnel is necessary. This is when ground staff bridge the gap to provide urgent consultations and advise on the severity of the medical condition and ways to stabilise the situation before landing.

In these moments, it can also be challenging to determine whether the flight should be redirected to find the nearest treatment facility. Ground staff and the cabin crew might have to weigh in on the circumstances, such as your condition and weather conditions, while prioritising lifesaving measures. This can be a crucial moment to balance the urgency of immediate emergency response and the safety of everyone on the flight.

How to Prepare for a Medical Emergency Before Flying

Preparing for potentially life-threatening medical emergencies when you fly is important when you have specific medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory concerns or deep vein thrombosis. Informing flight attendants if you have concerns on a long flight can also help them be aware of warning signs. Most importantly, planning can help minimise risks when you ensure the following:

• Having a travel-size first aid kit with all your medication is important.
• Keep your emergency contacts readily available for the cabin crew.
• Having updated medical records if you are a chronic patient.
• Communicating your symptoms.

A medical emergency on a plane can be worsened by not having sufficient emergency responders to provide essential support. However, being prepared and communicating with the cabin crew when you suddenly feel unwell can be your lifeline. The great news is that the FREE-to-use iER App lets you connect with emergency air ambulance services when you need to be transported to the nearest treatment facility should your flight be redirected in case of a medical emergency.

You can now download the iER App from the Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, or the Huawei App Gallery. You can click here if you have questions about the FREE-to-use iER App. Stay updated with our latest news by following us on: