Is there a doctor/nurse on board? Would you/have you answered?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have not had this experience, but I would rate it as something every medical professional dreads. Share your experiences, or offer your concerns. Thanks!

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Oh that just pisses me off!

Hubster had to literally hold me back from saying something nasty to them. If I had a name/address for them, I would have reported them to Adult Protective Services. As it was, the best I could do was keep an eye on her to make sure they came back to get her after the show.

Specializes in criticalcare, nursing administration.

Had this happen twice, and I repsonded both times. Both were "red-eye" flights so I have to wonder if there is a connection on that one:rolleyes:

The first was diaphoretic male who passed out. Second was a middle-aged owman with similar symptoms. Learned several things about in-air emergencies. They DO have AED, but in both cases the crew stated they really did not know how to use them :down: They also have ACLS meds and IV's, stethiscopes and BP cuffs. Problem is when someone is in the isle on the floor the drone of the aircraft make it impossible to hear and to assess. Carotid palpatation is best...

Things that CAN be done..... contact can be established with on-ground physicians who can direct care. This occurred on one of the two flights I was on. The second is very basic AND helpful. Most common causes of this on flights are dehydration and medication per the flight attendants.Ask about diabetes and provide OJ if at all possible.Assess neuro status ( can be done without equipment)This helped in both cases. One case turned out to be claustrophobia, the other just vaso-vagal.

Sadly, never got any acknowledgement ( either thank you or rebate). The best part was on leaving the first flight when it landed. The passenger across from me leaned over, and said " You did a good job there.... I'm a paramedic!!" Of course he never identified himself during the flight :banghead:

Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

I was at a high-energy concert at a small club in London last summer, and this teenage girl in front of me passed out. Twice. The first time, her friends picked her up, and she perked up and kept dancing. Five minutes later, she went down again and a friend and I caught her. Fearing that she would get trodden upon, I was like, "You're going to go sit down now and drink some fluids." She protested, but was really woozy, so I used the "I'm a nurse, you're coming with me" argument, and we carried her over to the stairs, did a mini-assessment, got her a drink, and told her to stay put for awhile. Of course, she was back in two minutes, but what can you do? :p

i never answer in the affirmative and don't do anything hands on. i've hinted to others what they should do, but that's it.

the question then comes, how'd you know that needed to be done, i just tell them i saw it on tv, haha.

Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.
what is the problem with some people when it comes to taking care of their elders?

if you consider putting grandma on a plane for vacation when she has been passing out at home and the doctors haven't figured out why yet or how to treat it... taking care of your elders........;)

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