Airline passengers fly on business trips, vacations, and to visit family and friends out of town. Rarely does it cross their mind that they could find themselves gravely ill on board a flight, far away from home with no medical facility in sight. However, this happens on board commercial flights everyday.
No one wants to be involved in a medical emergency at 40,000 feet. Therefore, passengers should do what they can to avoid this from happening to them. However, if they do find themselves or their loved ones in this situation they should know what to expect.
Never Fly Sick
Don’t fly when feeling under the weather. In particular don’t fly after a recent surgery, hospital stay, or while taking strong medications.
Rest and Eat Well
Get at least eight hours of sleep the night before a flight. Eat a balanced breakfast, lunch, or dinner prior to flying. In particular diabetics should always keep a snack with them when they fly, since they may not always have time to get food between connecting flights. Don’t take for granted that the airline will have a meal available.
Never Check Medications
Passengers should have their medications on board the flight with them. They should never pack medications in their checked baggage. They should keep them in a purse or a carry on bag, in the event it is needed during the flight. Passengers should also pack extra medications for unforeseen delays.
Keep Everyone in the Loop
Wear a medic alert bracelet when flying. Keep primary care physicians numbers, and emergency contacts programmed in cell phone contacts. Passengers should tell their travel companion, and inform the flight crew of their condition and symptoms as soon as possible.
Avoid Drinking Alcohol
Don’t drink alcohol. Mixing cocktails and medications can be disastrous. Certain medications can have adverse effects when mixed with medications and high altitudes. Water is always the best thing to drink when flying to prevent dehydration.
If a Passenger Becomes Sick
In the event a passenger does become ill on a flight. Flight attendants are trained to help assist them. They can perform CPR, and operate the AED which is used to shock failing hearts. They can page for a doctor, nurse, or paramedic onboard. Flight attendants can also communicate on the ground with medical professionals at hospitals that work with airlines such as MedAire.
In addition, airlines have items on board to help with medical situations such as:
- First Aid kits and emergency medical kits
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Nitroglycerin tablets
- Antihistamines
- IV Tubing
- Bronchodilator
- Syringes
- Gloves
- Saline Solution
- Dextrose
- Epinephrine
- Stethoscopes
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Oxygen bottles
- Bandages
- Ammonia Inhalants
Divert for Medical Care
In the event the passenger’s condition does not improve after medical intervention. The airline can divert to nearest city to have the passenger taken to a hospital.
Insurance
Always carry medical insurance cards along when traveling. In addition, purchasing additional travel insurance will come in handy if evacuated to another city or country.
Flying when in tip-top physical shape, packing essential medications, and keeping flight crew in the loop will prevent passengers from becoming a medical emergency disaster in the sky.
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