Has anyone else ever been on an airplane when this panicked announcement has been made overhead?
I was on a 2-hour flight last night when this happened to me. I looked around for about 30 seconds and didn't see anyone do anything - there were only about 100 people on board - so I got up and identified myself. Now, I'm a NICU nurse, and I told the flight attendent that right off the bat. She asked if I felt comfortable checking out a passenger that was having chest pains. Now, I don't have my own nursing insurance (matter of preference) but I do believe that the Good Samaritan law protects nurses in this kind of a situation, so I agreed.
He was a slightly overweight businessman who had some serious chicken and egg allergies as a child. He had eaten at a fast-food restaurant in the airport and was eating a nut snack mix (minus peanuts) on the plane. He had sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. I found him to have a strong, even pulse of 80 BPM, resps 20 per minute and shallow, diaphoretic, pale pink, rated his pain as a 6-7, breathing with no audible wheezing upon inhalation or exhalation, denied any heart or GI problems. I told the flight attendent that I didn't know what else to do, but asked if they had an AED on board just in case. She said yes, and oxygen as well. Luckily we never needed that! I suggested that it was possibly indigestion, reflux, an ulcer, or an allergic reaction. She asked me to come up and sit by him (he was in first class) and I did. I sat next to him, checked his pulse a few more times, and talked him through it. After about 20 minutes, he suddenly said, "Wow, I'm suddenly feeling a lot better." and he started breathing deeper and slower. I suggested some ginger ale to settle his stomach and he did drink a bit. By the time we landed, he was talking, chewing gum, up to the bathroom, and seemed much better. The flight attendent asked if he wanted paramedics standing by at the gate and he declined.
His coworker was going to drive him home and promised to make sure his wife knew what happened. I suggested that he go to the ER to get checked out, but he said he didn't think it was necessary. I told him to at the very least call his doctor ASAP and touch base with him, because further examination was warrented. He agreed and said he would do that. After the flight landed, he thanked me for my help and left with his coworker.
Did I do anything I should or shouldn't have?
He did hear my name - I told him my first name and also the flight attendant came by with the manifest to ask my last name "in case they heard anything" and needed to contact me. I don't think I have to worry about legal action - the flight attendants were all there and knew what was going on, and I honestly didn't think we needed an emergency landing or anything like that. I still wished he'd have let paramedics check him out, but he refused when both the flight attendants and I asked.
Last week I was on a flight from Phoenix to Pittsburgh. The dreaded announcement came over the intercom about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. Funny.......I remember reading this thread and thought I would have no qualms helping somebody in need. I was out of my seat before the announcement was even complete.
I had an 85 year old lady that had a pacemaker installed last week. She was in the bathroom and felt very "dizzy and disoreintated" when she got back to her seat. While taking vitals, I quizzed the daughter on what kind of pacemaker it was. To my dissapointment, she took out a card that had the manufacturer name and a phone number, NOT A CLUE ON WHAT KIND OF PACEMAKER!
After about 5 minutes into this a pediatrician also came up to help and basically did nothing and said "I know how to work on children" :rotfl: I found the pt A&O, HR of 68, BP 95/55 and feeling better by the minute. The kit on Southwest Airlines consisted of an AED, cuff, and stethoscope. I saw no drugs available. The O2 consists of setting High or Low - not by the liter.
What I think happened is that she had some Valsava manuevering going on in the bathroom and she got defibbed in there by the pacemeaker. I told the flight attendants to put the O2 on high, press on to Pittsburgh, and have paramedics waiting.
A very satisfying experience was had by all. BTW, I am an MICU nurse with only 10 months experience. Stand back pediatrician, HERE I COME
I leave for Florida on Thursday so this topic caught my eye. When my sis and I were there in July of 2005 a woman had a seizure in the hotel lobby. I was still a nursing student at that time so I was trying to appear calm and collected but internally I was freaking out! I did remember what to do as far as move objects away from the patient, assess airway(one of the hotel workers was yelling, "quick, put a spoon in her mouth!" because she was afraid she'd swallow her tongue. We were taught in nursing school not to do that anymore) After the seizure ended, we put her in the recovery position while waiting for the paramedics to get there. Towards the end of the whole thing 2 women came over and said they were RNs- Boy, was I ever happy to see them! Now that I am a "real nurse" myself, I'm praying that I won't have to use any nursing skills on this trip!
Specializes in OB/peds (after gen surgery for 3 yrs).
On my son's first air travel, when he was 7, we were returning from Disneyworld, when we heard that message. I rang the call bell after the second request, because my son was just about jumping out of his seat! I asked the flight attendant to watch HIM, then I went back to find an anesthesiologist with the patient. This was about 9 or so years ago, and there was no AED, etc. The woman, 30-ish, was fainting, it had happened about three times already, and the doctor just kept asking questions of her and her hubby. I told the flight attendant to lay her down, get her some O2, and request landing because I just didn't like the way she looked. I felt something ominous was happening, but what can you do when you are up in the air. The doc liked my suggestions..., and she felt better lying down, but we did land, brought EMTs and Fire on board...and off she went. I never knew what really happened to her.
That's so funny. I'm a nursing student and all my classmates are practically frothing at the mouth to be able to stop and help at an accident scene. I am not so eager. I'll wait for the chance to do it on the job and hopefully be better trained, thank you very much. I think it's interesting that most nurses I know aren't all that eager and would rather not have to participate if they don't have to. I explained this and my classmates thought that sounded mean. I just think when you've seen it so many times it's exhausting to think you have to deal with it everywhere and not just on the job. I realize most nurses are glad to help if there is no one else to do it, but are in no way eager to look for it the way my classmates are.
That's so funny. I'm a nursing student and all my classmates are practically frothing at the mouth to be able to stop and help at an accident scene. I am not so eager. I'll wait for the chance to do it on the job and hopefully be better trained, thank you very much. I think it's interesting that most nurses I know aren't all that eager and would rather not have to participate if they don't have to. I explained this and my classmates thought that sounded mean. I just think when you've seen it so many times it's exhausting to think you have to deal with it everywhere and not just on the job. I realize most nurses are glad to help if there is no one else to do it, but are in no way eager to look for it the way my classmates are.
You are wise for a fledgling nurse!:wink2: I also am afraid of possible lawsuits-I know there is the good samaritan law but there have been cases of people being sued..It's hard because you want in a way to help, but you usually don't have the proper tools at your disposal and you never know if the person is the type looking to sue everybody..A friend of mine said, "Just give a fake name.." and sounds harsh, but I think it's a good idea.
Just out of curiosity, do any of y'all travel with your stethoscope/BP Cuff? I usually have mine in the car, more from habit than anything...and thankfully have never been called on to use it (well, for my mom once).
I've never flown before, so hopefully if I ever do some of y'all will be on the plane to save me from a panic attack!!
As a current nurse and EMT-I I am never EAGER to stop at an accident or help in a public setting, but I will if I needed. However, I will not identify myself as a helthcare provider unless prompted and nor will I carry my own tools with me as these things are just begging for a lawsuit.
Oh and as soon as someone with a higher level of care arrives and give a brief report identify myself to them and then hand off care....
(and yes a paramedic is higher level provider than a nurse)
Sounds like you did a great job! One thing I have always thought about when I hear someone ask for a Doctor/Nurse. They should be asking for a Paramedic! (or at least find out if they are getting a Dr. or nurse from ER, ICU, etc.) I am a Paramedic and have been in EMS for 17 years and teach ACLS/PALS, etc. and I was suprised when I first learned that most Doctors and Nurses receive almost NO emergency training! Only if its their specialty. I have responded to countless clinics/Dr. offices, and usually the Doctor doesn't have a clue what to do for the Pt. If Doctors and Nurses with no training offer to help me in an emergency I will gladly take the help, but I won't let them get too involved if they don't have the proper training. On a rare occasion we get a foot Doctor or something that tries to tell us what to do, and we politely ask him/her if they would like to ride with us in the ambulance to the hospital with the Pt. (that shuts them up real quick!) On the other hand, I love when I get an ER Nurse or something, it make my day to have an extra pair of capable hands. By the way, I'm not biased whatsoever against Nurses! I can't be since I am currently a Nursing student getting my RN. My main point is that when you ask for a Dr. or Nurse, you have to realize that 90% have almost no training in emergencies. I must say that most people do a great job as long as they know their limitations. (and your care as an NICU Nurse exceeded my expectations in your care of an adult Pt!)
I have never had this happen to me on any of my flights but I would be willing to help out if needed. My hubby and I were watching a tv show about the history of flight a few months ago and I believe they said that when the job of flight attendants was new, all flight attendants were required to be RN's. Thats interesting if it is true.
Sounds like you did a great job! One thing I have always thought about when I hear someone ask for a Doctor/Nurse. They should be asking for a Paramedic! (or at least find out if they are getting a Dr. or nurse from ER, ICU, etc.) I am a Paramedic and have been in EMS for 17 years and teach ACLS/PALS, etc. and I was suprised when I first learned that most Doctors and Nurses receive almost NO emergency training! Only if its their specialty. I have responded to countless clinics/Dr. offices, and usually the Doctor doesn't have a clue what to do for the Pt. If Doctors and Nurses with no training offer to help me in an emergency I will gladly take the help, but I won't let them get too involved if they don't have the proper training. On a rare occasion we get a foot Doctor or something that tries to tell us what to do, and we politely ask him/her if they would like to ride with us in the ambulance to the hospital with the Pt. (that shuts them up real quick!) On the other hand, I love when I get an ER Nurse or something, it make my day to have an extra pair of capable hands. By the way, I'm not biased whatsoever against Nurses! I can't be since I am currently a Nursing student getting my RN. My main point is that when you ask for a Dr. or Nurse, you have to realize that 90% have almost no training in emergencies. I must say that most people do a great job as long as they know their limitations. (and your care as an NICU Nurse exceeded my expectations in your care of an adult Pt!)
MICU (medical), not NICU
Though, I get your point about emergency training. The pediatrician on the flight had absolutely no clue even how to go about assessing this passenger. I informed the passenger and flight attendants I was an ICU nurse to help comfort them. The flight attendants told me that often times there are NO medical people on a flight at all. They have a phone number they can call to help assess passengers if there is nobody at all.
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Hoozdo, ADN
1,555 Posts
Last week I was on a flight from Phoenix to Pittsburgh. The dreaded announcement came over the intercom about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. Funny.......I remember reading this thread and thought I would have no qualms helping somebody in need. I was out of my seat before the announcement was even complete.
I had an 85 year old lady that had a pacemaker installed last week. She was in the bathroom and felt very "dizzy and disoreintated" when she got back to her seat. While taking vitals, I quizzed the daughter on what kind of pacemaker it was. To my dissapointment, she took out a card that had the manufacturer name and a phone number, NOT A CLUE ON WHAT KIND OF PACEMAKER!
After about 5 minutes into this a pediatrician also came up to help and basically did nothing and said "I know how to work on children" :rotfl: I found the pt A&O, HR of 68, BP 95/55 and feeling better by the minute. The kit on Southwest Airlines consisted of an AED, cuff, and stethoscope. I saw no drugs available. The O2 consists of setting High or Low - not by the liter.
What I think happened is that she had some Valsava manuevering going on in the bathroom and she got defibbed in there by the pacemeaker. I told the flight attendants to put the O2 on high, press on to Pittsburgh, and have paramedics waiting.
A very satisfying experience was had by all. BTW, I am an MICU nurse with only 10 months experience. Stand back pediatrician, HERE I COME
:monkeydance: