Medical emergencies aboard commercial aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration has recently ordered a physician's kit be installed aboard all commercial aircraft in the United States. The kit includes epinephrine, diphenhydramine HCl, nitroglycerin tablets, 50% dextrose injection, oropharyngeal airways, stethoscope, and sphygmomanometer. The addition of the kit prompts an examination of medical problems while aloft. We review the incidence of inflight medical emergencies, the equipment available for treating such incidents, and first aid training of the cabin crew. Ongoing issues such as the legal status of physician volunteers and the security of first aid supplies aboard an aircraft are discussed. The most effective step to prevent further inflight medical incidents would be to initiate an educational program in both medical and aviation circles detailing the hazards and contraindications to flight.