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Air Travel Emergencies

Theodore E Macnow, MD and Michelle A Georgia, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

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

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 covers any person with a medical license who is qualified to provide medical care in the United States who act to the best they can wi...

REFERENCES

1
Hu JS, Smith JK. In-Flight Medical Emergencies. Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(9):547-552.
2
Martin-Gill C, Doyle TJ, Yealy DM. In-flight medical emergencies: a review. JAMA. 2018;320:2580–2590...

SEE ALSO

AirRx: Smartphone app with information on protocols, diagnoses, and treatments for managing IMEs 

CODES

CLINICAL PEARLS

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

  • Equipment and drugs on board airplanes can be extensive but vary widely.

  • All flights are equipped with AEDs and oxygen. 

  • Many ...

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