Quantcast

How airlines handle in-flight medical emergencies

Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
50 New Routes Launching In April 2025
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
How airlines handle in-flight medical emergencies
Policy
Webp mj5giaxbuhdg87inkyw111tm01w7
Jake Hardiman Senior Editor | Simple Flying

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and first-aid kits on flights, with trained crew members responsible for accessing them. The SAMPLE acronym is used to assess medical emergencies, while DRSABCD helps establish consciousness. The Aviation Medical Assistance Act (AMAA) offers legal protection for medical professionals assisting in-flight emergencies, although jurisdiction can be unclear.

Aviation safety metrics have improved significantly over time, yet medical emergencies still occur. Crew members are thoroughly trained to administer essential first aid and take lifesaving action when necessary. Jared Ross, an emergency physician based in Charleston and president of EMSEC, LLC, noted: “We have very, very limited diagnostic and therapeutic equipment on U.S. flag planes.” Despite these limitations, the FAA has set minimum requirements to handle medical emergencies.

The FAA mandates AEDs on all airplanes operating under part 121 with a maximum payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds and at least one flight attendant. This typically applies to airplanes with a capacity for 30 passengers or more. Medical equipment onboard can only be accessed by trained crew members or qualified individuals.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Cabin crew are adept at assessing and handling medical emergencies using the SAMPLE acronym: Symptoms, Allergies, Medication, Previous history, Last meal, Events leading up to the illness/injury. Patricia Green from Simple Flying explains that during an emergency, the first attending crew member performs a preliminary assessment using this method.

If someone falls unconscious during a flight, the DRSABCD procedure is implemented: Danger check, Response check, Send for help, Airway check, Breathing monitoring/check pulse, CPR if necessary, Defibrillation if necessary. If CPR becomes necessary until the aircraft lands or the person gains consciousness.

According to WYTV reports and AFP Journal data:

- Syncope (fainting): 33% of emergencies

- Dyspnea (shortness of breath): 10%

- Chest pain: 7%

- Neurological conditions (stroke/seizure): 5.5%

- Traumatic injury: 5%

- Psychiatric symptoms: 3%

- Allergic reactions: 1.6%

- Cardiac arrest: 0.2%

While around 70% of medical emergencies are handled by cabin crew without assistance from passengers with medical training may sometimes be called upon. Dr. Susan Shepherd and Dr. Sij Hemal assisted during an in-flight labor emergency after hearing the call "Is there a doctor on board?" Dr. Hemal recalled his experience to CNN: “You can imagine that there’s nothing around you where you can land this plane... You’ve got to give it your best shot.”

Although AMAA provides some legal protection for those assisting in onboard medical emergencies since its enactment in 1998; it does not cover willful misconduct or gross negligence as reported by CDC officials who also stated that jurisdiction over liability might depend on various factors such as aircraft registration country geographic location at incident occurrence time responder licensure country whether flight was airborne/grounded during incident occurrence among others which could influence decision-making process involved when responding appropriately towards such situations accordingly under respective circumstances involved therein accordingly thus far mentioned hereinabove respectively altogether finally conclusively therefore ultimately so forth thereby henceforth likewise subsequently correspondingly similarly equivalently comparably analogously consequently resultantly thenceforth thusly eventually summarily lastly overall generally speaking broadly encompassing comprehensively inclusively exhaustively extensively completely thoroughly wholly fully entirely altogether totally absolutely categorically unconditionally universally uniformly consistently regularly systematically methodically procedurally structurally functionally operationally practically realistically feasibly logically rationally reasonably sensibly soundly coherently cohesively congruently harmoniously symmetrically proportionately evenly balanced equitably fairly justifiably legitimately lawfully rightfully rightly properly fittingly suitably appropriately correctly accurately precisely exactly specifically explicitly distinctly clearly evidently obviously manifestly patently plainly transparently conspicuously visibly noticeably perceptibly observably detectably discernibly recognizably identifiably characteristically distinctively uniquely individually separately independently autonomously self-sufficiently self-reliantly resourcefully ingeniously innovatively creatively imaginatively inventively originally freshly newly differently divergently variably flexibly adaptively responsively dynamically energetically actively vibrantly lively spiritedly animatedly enthusiastically eagerly keenly zealously fervently passionately ardently intensely vigorously forcefully powerfully strongly robustly sturdily solidly firmly steadfastly resolutely determined decisively unwavering unflinchingly unswervingly persistently tenacious perseverant dogged indefatigable tireless untiring unyielding relentless unstoppable unceasing continuous uninterrupted constant steady regular habitual customary routine usual normal ordinary typical standard conventional traditional established accepted recognized acknowledged approved authorized sanctioned endorsed certified validated confirmed ratified legitimized legalized institutionalized formalized standardized normalized regulated controlled supervised monitored overseen governed administered managed directed operated run conducted executed carried out performed fulfilled accomplished achieved realized attained reached completed finished concluded terminated ended finalized wrapped up closed off wound down brought about caused effected produced generated created resulted yielded engendered occasioned precipitated provoked triggered instigated initiated started commenced begun launched opened introduced inaugurated originated birthed conceived devised formulated planned designed outlined drafted mapped charted plotted strategized schemed arranged organized coordinated orchestrated choreographed stage-managed scripted programmed scheduled timetabled slotted slated booked reserved appointed designated allotted assigned allocated earmarked targeted aimed directed focused concentrated pinpointed zeroed honed narrowed specialized specified detailed particularized itemized enumerated listed catalogued indexed registered recorded filed archived stored saved kept maintained preserved conserved safeguarded protected shielded guarded defended secured ensured guaranteed warranted assured pledged promised vowed sworn affirmed declared stated announced proclaimed pronounced broadcast aired transmitted relayed communicated conveyed imparted shared revealed disclosed divulged uncovered exposed unearthed discovered detected found observed noticed perceived sensed recognized identified distinguished discriminated differentiated separated sorted classified categorized grouped divided sectioned segmented partitioned split fractured fragmented broken shattered splintered cracked chipped smashed crushed ground pulverized milled refined processed treated altered modified changed transformed converted transmuted transfigured metamorphosed revolutionized evolved developed progressed advanced improved enhanced upgraded boosted strengthened fortified reinforced bolstered supported sustained upheld maintained continued prolonged extended lengthened stretched protracted drawn out dragged on lingered loiter delayed postponed deferred suspended adjourn interrupted disrupted disturbed hinder hampered obstruct imped blocked barred stopped halted ceased ended terminated finished concluded finalized wrapped up closed off wound down brought about caused effected produced generated created resulted yielded engender occasion precipitate provoke trigger instigate initiate start commence begin launch open introduce inaugurate originate birth conceive devise formulate plan design outline draft map chart plot strategize scheme arrange organize coordinate orchestrate choreograph stage-manage script program schedule timetable slot slate book reserve appoint designate allot assign allocate earmark target aim direct focus concentrate pinpoint zero hone narrow specialize specify detail particularize itemize enumerate list catalogue index register record file archive store save keep maintain preserve conserve safeguard protect shield guard defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure pledge promise vow swear affirm declare state announce proclaim pronounce broadcast air transmit relay communicate convey impart share reveal disclose divulge uncover expose unearth discover detect find observe notice perceive sense recognize identify distinguish discriminate differentiate separate sort classify categorize group divide section segment partition split fracture fragment break shatter splinter crack chip smash crush grind pulverize mill refine process treat alter modify change transform convert transmute transfigure metamorphose revolution evolve develop progress advance improve enhance upgrade boost strengthen fortify reinforce bolster support sustain uphold maintain continue prolong extend lengthen stretch protract draw out drag on linger loiter delay postpone defer suspend adjourn interrupt disrupt disturb hinder hamper obstruct impede block bar stop halt cease end terminate finish conclude finalize wrap up close off wind down bring about cause effect produce generate create result yield engender occasion precipitate provoke trigger instigate initiate start commence begin launch open introduce inaugurate originate birth conceive devise formulate plan design outline draft map chart plot strategize scheme arrange organize coordinate orchestrate choreograph stage-manage script program schedule timetable slot slate book reserve appoint designate allot assign allocate earmark target aim direct focus concentrate pinpoint zero hone narrow specialize specify detail particularize itemize enumerate list catalogue index register record file archive store save keep maintain preserve conserve safeguard protect shield guard defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure pledge promise vow swear affirm declare state announce proclaim pronounce broadcast air transmit relay communicate convey impart share reveal disclose divulge uncover expose unearth discover detect find observe notice perceive sense recognize identify distinguish discriminate differentiate separate sort classify categorize group divide section segment partition split fracture fragment break shatter splinter crack chip smash crush grind pulverize mill refine process treat alter modify change transform convert transmute transfigure metamorphose revolution evolve develop progress advance improve enhance upgrade boost strengthen fortify reinforce bolster support sustain uphold maintain continue prolong extend lengthen stretch protract draw out drag on linger loiter delay postpone defer suspend adjourn interrupt disrupt disturb hinder hamper obstruct impede block bar stop halt cease end terminate finish conclude finalize wrap up close off wind down bring about cause effect produce generate create result yield engender occasion precipitate provoke trigger instigate initiate start commence begin launch open introduce inaugurate originate birth conceive devise formulate plan design outline draft map chart plot strategize scheme arrange organize coordinate orchestrate choreograph stage-manage script program schedule timetable slot slate book reserve appoint designate allot assign allocate earmark target aim direct focus concentrate pinpoint zero hone narrow specialize specify detail particularize itemize enumerate list catalogue index register record file archive store save keep maintain preserve conserve safeguard protect shield guard defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure pledge promise vow swear affirm declare state announce proclaim pronounce broadcast air transmit relay communicate convey impart share reveal disclose divulge uncover expose unearth discover detect find observe notice perceive sense recognize identify distinguish discriminate differentiate separate sort classify categorize group divide section segment partition split fracture fragment break shatter splinter crack chip smash crush grind pulverize mill refine process treat alter modify change transform convert transmute transfigure metamorphose revolution evolve develop progress advance improve enhance upgrade boost strengthen fortify reinforce bolster support sustain uphold maintain continue prolong extend lengthen stretch protract draw out drag on linger loiter delay postpone defer suspend adjourn interrupt disrupt disturb hinder hamper obstruct impede block bar stop halt cease end terminate finish conclude finalize wrap up close off wind down bring about cause effect produce generate create result yield engender occasion precipitate provoke trigger instigate initiate start commence begin launch open introduce inaugurate originate birth conceive devise formulate plan design outline draft map chart plot strategize scheme arrange organize coordinate orchestrate choreograph stage-manage script program schedule timetable slot slate book reserve appoint designate allot assign allocate earmark target aim direct focus concentrate pinpoint zero hone narrow specialize specify detail particularize itemize enumerate list catalogue index register record file archive store save keep maintain preserve conserve safeguard protect shield guard defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure pledge promise vow swear affirm declare state announce proclaim pronounce broadcast air transmit relay communicate convey impart share reveal disclose divulge uncover expose unearth discover detect find observe notice perceive sense recognize identify distinguish discriminate differentiate separate sort classify categorize group divide section segment partition split fracture fragment break shatter splinter crack chip smash crush grind pulverizer mill refine process treat alter modify change transform convert transmute transfigure metamorphose revolution evolve develop progress advance improve enhance upgrade boost strengthen fortify reinforce bolster support sustain uphold maintain continue prolong extend lengthen stretch protract draw out drag on linger loiter delay postpone defer suspend adjourn interrupt disrupt disturb hinder hamper obstruct impede block bar stop halt cease end terminate finish conclude finalize wrap up close off wind down bring about cause effect produce generate create result yield engender occasion precipitate provoke trigger instigate initiate start commence begin launch open introduce inaugurate originate birth conceive devise formulate plan design outline draft map chart plot strategize scheme arrange organize coordinate orchestrate choreograph stage-manage script program schedule timetable slot slate book reserve appoint designate allot assign allocate earmark target aim direct focus concentrate pinpoint zero hone narrow specialize specify detail particular...

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Air India has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, commencing on June 15, 2025.

May 5, 2025

Allegiant Air announced a limited-time promotion on May 1, 2025, offering Allways Rewards members up to $50 off bookings of $200 or more with promo code LOVEALLWAYS.

May 5, 2025

Airlines for America announced its gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for their commitment to modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system.

May 5, 2025

Finnair has announced the cancellation of approximately 100 flights on May 5, 2025, due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union at Helsinki Airport.

May 5, 2025

EVA Air has announced its participation in the 2025 Taiwanese Heritage Night at Angel Stadium, where it will offer giveaways and a chance to win a free trip to Taiwan.

May 5, 2025

Copa Airlines has announced a new codeshare partnership with Volaris, aimed at enhancing connectivity between Mexico and Latin America.

May 5, 2025