Published Mar 10, 2016
GoodNP
202 Posts
Hi all. A colleague of mine recently responded to the "is there doctor on the plane?" call. Since I'll be doing some traveling soon, it has made me think. Particularly in this time of cell phones and videos. I, for one, do not want to be recorded in the act of being of a Good Samaritan. I'd love to hear accounts of how you've reacted when you hear that call on a plane.
I found this article somewhat helpful. The Clinician's Guide to In-Flight Emergencies - MPR
BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP
1,678 Posts
I responded on a beach when someone had a cardiac event in the water. I have no idea if someone was taking videos. I sure hope not...it's completely disrespectful. My poor patient did not make it, despite 45 min of CPR. That does not need to be on YouTube.
Wow. Thanks for the response. I agree, hope nobody videoed that. It's disrespectful to the provider and to the patient.
silvercatinatree
5 Posts
When I hear that call on a plane I actually hide. One time, after another nurse stood up..... The attendant came back and asked if anyone could start an IV ( the other nurse was a retired manager) I did go to help at that point..... It was kind of cool. They had a doc giving orders...they printed out...and they had everything in little cases.... Of course the person had just finished chemo for breast cancer and had, had a mastectomy...she had no veins! I had to crouch down between the seats and use a 22 gage IV but I got it first try. I didn't think I could get anything bigger into those tiny little spidery veins ...... I don't think anyone recorded it....I was almost sitting on the floor of the plane..... But everyone did clap when the attendant yelled "she got it!" Of course I didn't have a copy of my nursing license, they wanted that...... But it wasn't too bad, but I was shaking afterwards. The guy next to me bought me a drink after we landed and dropped the pt off.
MursingMedic, DNP, RN, EMT-P
90 Posts
As an ER Nurse and Paramedic I was returning home from a conference when a call was made on the flight. I waited until they asked a second time and I got up. No one was filming to my knowledge. It was a younger adult who just had a near syncopal episode. Nothing flashy. There was a medical control contact who was on the radio with the flight attendant. I gave the attendant my assessment findings and the vitals. She relayed that to ground control and they just told her to have us monitor the patient until we felt their situation was resolved.
They had me fill out a card and I got a $500 credit on my next flight. I never used it since I never fly with that airline and it wasn't transferrable. I did however get a handful of mini bottles from the attendant and the guys in my isle who I was previously chatting with had replenished my jack and coke with a double. It was a good ending to a boring Joint Commission conference!
BostonFNP, APRN
2 Articles; 5,582 Posts
My son volunteered me once. Alcohol withdrawl. Delayed my trip 24 hours. Everyone survived.
PG2018
1,413 Posts
I am of the opinion that I do not want to take any actions anywhere outside of an active shooter and that's primarily because I carry a handgun and am an expert marksman with previous tactical qualifications, plus doesn't everyone want to stop a killer?
No first aid, CPR, is there a doctor on the plane, patching up sprained ankles at sporting events, stopping at wrecks, etc. When I was a younger guy I used to do that kind of crap. I used to be a qualified paramedic when I was in law enforcement although I had only a total of about 500 working hours with an ambulance service. Mostly I held the skill for ERT. People seeking help can be an ambush as well. Take care of yourself and family.
Btw, I used to get videoed at times serving warrants and at felony stops, etc. That was before everything was uploaded directly to YouTube. To my knowledge, the only YouTube videos I've been in are the ones I made back when I had my prepping channel.
Wow. Just curious, what did you do for this? (Besides beat your son )
I am of the opinion that I do not want to take any actions anywhere outside of an active shooter and that's primarily because I carry a handgun and am an expert marksman with previous tactical qualifications, plus doesn't everyone want to stop a killer?No first aid, CPR, is there a doctor on the plane, patching up sprained ankles at sporting events, stopping at wrecks, etc. When I was a younger guy I used to do that kind of crap. I used to be a qualified paramedic when I was in law enforcement although I had only a total of about 500 working hours with an ambulance service. Mostly I held the skill for ERT. People seeking help can be an ambush as well. Take care of yourself and family. Btw, I used to get videoed at times serving warrants and at felony stops, etc. That was before everything was uploaded directly to YouTube. To my knowledge, the only YouTube videos I've been in are the ones I made back when I had my prepping channel.
I hear you. Mostly. I think I would have to give CPR to someone in need. But a sprained ankle, near syncope, panic attack....nuh-uh.
The med kit had lorazepam available as IM or PO. I was able to give a dose IM and then he was able to take the rest of the doses PO until the plane landed (without diversion).
Read an article today that reminded me of this thread. Is there a doctor on board? In-flight medical emergencies | Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine