Is there a nurse on the plane?

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · May 26, 2011

Not to derail the thread but this has me curious; what is the protocol for giving meds like that if there aren't say, any paramedics? How does it work?

In the case of UK law some of the meds are covered by exemptions , as others have said others are established parts of the standards of care established by ILCOR and the national resuscitation councils ... also if there's a Doc or other independent prescriber then s/he is the prescriber, and i believe there is a facility to consult with medical staff on the ground.

In the case of a a Paramedic it depends on where they are a paramedic as US paramedics are only paramedics at work and where they have medical, wherase UK paramedics are registered Health Professionals and have their core drugs in specific legislation.

if the drugs are legally held ( which in the case of the kits on airliners) and there is sufficient evidence to back their use in the absence of a prescriber then there is little or nothing to fear , so fluids on someone in shock, cardiac arrest drugs from current ALS guidelines , glucose or glucagon for someone hypoglycaemic ... thishas been described as crash trolley / code cart 'defence'.

TopazLover, BSN, RN · May 26, 2011

I was on the Alaska Marne Highway ship when another passenger complained of chest pain. The staff was trained in Red Cross/ AHA CPR. They did not know how to use the equipment they had on board. They did know to give her an asprin. One doctor and I responded. He happened to be an orthepedic surgeon. Between the two of us we got her comfortable, on oxygen and monitored her until we got into port.

It is requested that all medical personnel identify themselves when they come aboard. The crew then gives tours of their facility. They will announce over the loud speakers if you are needed. I have traveled the ferry system quite a few times and only once was I called.

I got a thank you from the capt. of the ship and got to go to off limits areas of the ship in order to do so.

rumwynnieRN · May 26, 2011

Are you held to the same standard if you're flying from country to country? What if you're flying from Japan to Korea or something like that? The origin of your license shouldn't matter right?

Actually, I've always wondered -- if I'm in the UK or Japan, and someone falls (cardiac arrest, syncopy, etc.), on the sidewalk or in a cafe, can I respond and give aid?

pavi675 · May 27, 2011

Yaa once I did, in fact that was my first and only plane travel. There was an announcement over the PA for a doctor-on-board. And when I heard the address the second time, I was sure that none had responded. I walked to the back of the plane, where I found a 29 year old in obvious respiratory distress. I asked the flight attendants if I could be of any help. They were happy and asked me to go forward. This guy had a history of pulmonary sarcodosis (recently diagnosed) but didn’t have any med with him. Even though ER drugs (they had enough things to pull out an appendix onboard) and corticosteroids were available, I hesitated because I was neither 100% sure of the treatment nor my Scope of Practice in that situation. I tried calming him down but soon noticed that his condition was worsening and felt that he is developing cyanosis. I asked for a oxygen and a mask. Fortunately, oxygen and proper positioning worked and he was out of distress in 5-mts. Ironically, the flight attendants were concerned that this high flow of oxygen may deplete their o2 supply, just in case of another emergency (including another patient and for the flight- decompression). I told them that without oxygen this could be one of the worst that we could have. Meanwhile, a respiratory therapist and a RN (gyn) came for the help. Since they were more experienced than me, I asked them to reassess the guy and give a second opinion. The flying time was short and we reached the airport in 45 mts. By the time flight landed he was ok and overconfident to such an extent that he said he could walk to where his parents would be waiting. We strongly disagreed but he said he could. I accompanied the guy. As expected within 25 meters of walking he started having distress. I asked him to stop walking and went back and asked the airport officials for a wheel chair. We remained with him for quite a while. He was ok, and since we were getting late and had to catch our connecting flight we had to leave him with the airport officials, who assured us that medical help and transportation will be there in minutes. I felt really happy that I was of help in that situation. :yeah: :)

oestbon · Aug 16, 2015

I was on an overnight flight to the UK. They called for med assistance and no one came so I did. I spent the next four hours calming the passenger, taking vital signs, and keeping his family from hysteria. I knew a little Spanish and that helped. We held it all together until the British paramedics took it over. On my way home the airline bumped us up to business class. I love a grateful airline.

Canadiannurse12 · Feb 22, 2018

Would you bring anything or does the flight's emergency kit have plenty?

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Feb 22, 2018

Acts certified

TigraRN · Feb 22, 2018

During my most recent flight across Atlantic, there was an announcement for medical personnel. It was a very large plane and about 6 or 7 people responded. We were asked to take a look at a young female in her twenties who developed a headache and did not know if she should take Tylenol she was holding in her hand. A doctor said she should. With a sense of accomplished duty (and I really did nothing) I went back to my seat :) This was the only time so far I was about to help someone outside of my actual work.

nursej22, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2018

The last 2 flights I was on asked for medical personnel. Dh likes to sit in the back, so many others responded before I needed to. For one of the people there was a request for a glucometer, so I chided dh that he needed to put one in his carry-on.