Medical Emergencies in Flight

The first course was run on 20th August 1999 in association with Virgin Atlantic in response to immense media interest in the subject since the British Medical Journal ran some controversial correspondence in November 1998. Hospital Doctor published an ongoing dialogue of correspondence on this issue, which resulted in a high level meeting at the House of Lords, a conference (Emergency Medical Care in the Air - Convener: Prof Angus Wallace / RCS Ed) held in Nottingham on 12-13th September 1999, and this Medical Emergencies in Flight (MEF) course which is a world first.

The programme consists of:

• Altitude physiology - the special aviation environment
• Epidemiology of medical emergencies in aircraft
• Medical equipment on board aircraft
• Oxygen systems and availability
• Cabin crew - their roles and first aid training
• Management of common emergencies in flight
• 'Is there a doctor on board?' - The medicolegal issues
• Safety on board
• Safety - aircraft escape and evacuation
• CPR / ALS in the passenger cabin

In addition to lectures, there are group discussions, video presentations and demonstrations of equipment and oxygen supplies. There is also a visit to the technical training site (for escape and evacuation drills and to practice CPR/ALS in the confines of the passenger cabin) and participants are treated to the famous Virgin Atlantic hospitality with a free 'goody-bag' of souvenirs, plus refreshments throughout the day. Finally, we always plan a visit to a Boeing 747 (or similar aircraft), to look at medical facilities and safety on board, as well as familiarisation with all aircraft areas, including the flight deck. Unfortunately, the current high security threat and commercial pressures have sometimes severely restricted access to the aircraft. Nevertheless, the visit is built in to the day’s events, although the CCAT organisation can not guarantee this part of the programme.