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Air Travel Emergencies

Theodore E Macnow, MD and Michelle A Georgia, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Physicians commonly help with in-flight medical events (IME). Many IME fall outside a practitioner’s normal scope of practice. The aircraft environment is cramped with limited medica...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Symptoms vary based on emergency; if patient is alert, gather as much history as possible.

  • Ask about past medical and surgical history, medications and compliance, and allergies.

  • Inquir...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • First aid and CPR: If there is no pulse or not breathing, start CPR, BLS, ALS, and PALS as appropriate. Airline crew members are trained in first aid and CPR.

  • Ask for help: As...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • The Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 protects volunteer in-flight physicians from malpractice. No physician has been successfully sued in the United States for volunteerin...

REFERENCES

1
Rotta AT, Alves PM, Nerwich N, et al. Characterization of in-flight medical events involving children on commercial airline flights. Ann Emerg Med. 2020;75(1):66–74.
2
Peterson DC, Martin-Gi...

ADDITIONAL READING

Khatib AN, Carvalho AM, Primavesi R, et. al. Navigating the risks of flying during COVID-19: a review for safe air travel. J Travel Med. 2020;27(8):taaa12. ...

SEE ALSO

AirRx: Downloadable smart phone app with information on protocols, diagnoses, and treatments for managing IMEs 
Printable cards for management of common IMEs (3

CODES

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Medical emergencies on airplanes are common. Most are minor.

  • Equipment and drugs on board airplanes vary widely.

  • All flights are equipped with AEDs and oxygen. 

  • Many airlines partner with...

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