Timely action by pilots and cabin crew and use of on-board medical equipment play a key role during medical emergencies aboard a flight. Airlines provide intense training each year to ensure that their crew act effectively in such cases.
In 2014, Emirates delivered 33,430 hours of medical training to cabin crew and pilots to ensure that they were equipped with the right support to assist passengers.
The training prepares them to provide emergency medical attention for situations, and includes topics such as basic life support (CPR); medical conditions including asthma, heart disorders, seizures and allergic reactions; trauma-related topics and even emergency childbirth, amongst others. In medical emergency on board Emirates flight, the crew would first determine the severity and then inform the pilot and consultant MedLink, a U.S.-based 24/7 satellite medical advisory service. This will provide the crew a direct connection with specialist aviation medical consultants, who can help assess the passenger’s situation in real time.
“In 2013 and 2014, we diverted over 100 flights for medical emergencies, costing more than $12million,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. The onboard crew are further assisted by Tempus IC, a system that allows the crew to transmit vital medical data such as heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, voice and video from the aircraft to MedLink using satellite communications.
