I'm planning a trip to Europe this fall, and I've heard some horror stories from coworkers about medical emergencies that occurred on their flights on vacations.
Since I will have submitted a passport, they will be aware of what kinds of people are on the plane, occupationally speaking. (Not that I would hide... I'd help if no one else was willing... but you see where I'm coming from, I'm sure!)
I'm a new nurse, so I haven't really developed my "gut feelings" yet...
I know I need to utilize my BLS (and now ACLS) skills...I know airway comes first....I know that I need to work my way down the ABC's.... but it's so different when you have no equipment, no drugs, no diagnostics, and no help.
Share your stories, pointers, and any helpful hints, so I can relax on my flight to Italy :)
Would you actually do that, perform a tracheotomy?
You never know what you'll do until the time comes. I doubt I'd attempt something like that, but if the right circumstances presented themselves and it truly was a life or death situation and no one else wanted to jump in front of me to do the deed, I pray I'd have the courage to take whatever action was needed. I hope there would be radio guidance from medical folks on the ground. I'd also ask for two ambulances--one for the patient and one for me.
its rare that you'd be called on if ever, don't think about it and it won't happen thats my moto
Oh, I don't know about that! I have been an RN for a little more than 2 years and have had to help twice. The first time was on a transcontinental airline flight and the second time was at my gym.
For my in air efforts I was awarded a free round trip ticket anywhere the airline flew. There are some fringe benefits from volunteering!
Well, in that case, why don't they do just that? Instead of calling out for any one on board, who may or may not want to get involved, who may or may not want to be exposed to any liability, who may or may not know what they're doing, depending on the individual, and who may not do any better than the flight crew. The responsibility does lie with the airline and its employees, not with another passenger. They want to rely on the medical personel on board, let them pay someone to ride each flight assuming that responsibility and liability, like that would ever happen.
I am a pilot for a major airline who went to nursing school while furloughed after 9/11. We are taught, and I believe rightfully so, to use all available resources in the event of an emergency. So if there is a medical emergency, we will ask if there are any medical personnel on board. If that person does not want to get involved, that is their decision..No one is being forced to intervene. Just wanted to give the crewmember's perspective.
Oh, I don't know about that! I have been an RN for a little more than 2 years and have had to help twice.
Gotta agree. I've had a major car accident happen in front of me that required my assistance, and I've been at a restaurant where a newborn was choking and needed help!
There have also been numerous times where older people have needed my assurance and assistance until EMS arrived.
I wouldn't hesitate to help anyone-and the thought of being sued has never and will never cross my mind.
Gotta agree. I've had a major car accident happen in front of me that required my assistance, and I've been at a restaurant where a newborn was choking and needed help!
There have also been numerous times where older people have needed my assurance and assistance until EMS arrived.
I wouldn't hesitate to help anyone-and the thought of being sued has never and will never cross my mind.
Thanks for being there and for helping. One of my personal fears is to die with a crowd of people standing around me saying "Someone should do something" and nobody does.
Specializes in Pediatric Emergency Medicine/Trauma.
I work in an ER so things happen suddenly a lot - but not just in the ER. One time I was working an art fair and right across from my booth, an elderly woman just collapsed. It can happen anywhere anytime. Obviously if you don't work in an ER, you may not have that instant "jump in" action.
My recommendation, if you are wanted to be more confident, take a Code Beeper class at work if they offer it and carry it whenever you can. Ask to do a ride-along with your city's paramedics or hospital transport team. They are almost always willing to have an extra set of hands. If you hear a code and are available, go to the code. Repetition helps build confidence. And you always have the option to not get up out of your seat. It's your decision - if it's out of your scope of practice, then don't do it. But i'm pretty sure all airlines now carry medical and surgical kits - heard of "in-flight" operations :) Never know what might happen. Personally, i carry some emergency supplies in my car at all times and in my house. Overprepared beats underprepared - that or I'm paranoid lol
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
Try not to dwell on "what if's" in life. Doing so might prevent you from ever doing anything or going anywhere.
You can and will, respond to any given sitaution at the given time.
you will be able to decide and assess what your response will be.
Once you make your decision, be confident and happy that you've made the right decision.
If you choose to volunteer, just do the best you can. That's all anyone can ever ask of you.
For any human being to ever deny helping another human being in distress, license, no license, qualified, not qualified,...... just reeks of inhumanity to me.
The world has really lost it's way with all this nonsense of litigation.
I searched for "medical emergency airline" and found this string because it just happened to me. I took my family to Mexico to celebrate my first 6 months as a paid RN--it was a long haul through nursing school with 3 kids. So, I'm still a newbie, I work in Gyn/Onc, and emergency medicine scares the hell out of me. On the way from Cancun to Philly, the call comes out. I've been on many flights in my life, and I've never heard the "call". My stomach plummeted. The call was for a doctor. Not medical personnel. Not nurse. So, I said to myself that I would wait to see if someone jumped up. The call went out again (for a doctor), and I was reaching for my call bell (thinking, I hope they are having an ovarian cancer acute condition--which is just snide/sarcastic of me to say) because otherwise i will be useless. which i would have been. I was thinking there is no stethoscope, no BP cuff, no interventions available. What could I do? This thread has helped me to see that there is equipment on board that I could have used to establish at least some basic vitals. And oxygen, and defibs. I would have felt better had I known that before. Thankfully, some people got up and went with the f/a and came back pretty quickly looking calm. I surmised that all was well. (it was--the guy was more embarrassed than ill. He left the plane first with paramedics, at our normal landing time and place, and they cleared him.) Nevertheless it scared me. Now, as a nurse, I feel obligated to answer those calls wherever they arise, and I feel like such a newbie that I could do more harm than good. I don't really care what the laws are--it is more ethics to me--but I question my own ability to competently care for someone, so the urge to duck seemed a better medical decision for the patient than any other at the time. This thread has been immensely helpful for me and I thank all who responded. Now, I will never fly again. (just kidding. looking for another vacation spot already :) )
rn/writer, RN
9 Articles; 4,168 Posts
You never know what you'll do until the time comes. I doubt I'd attempt something like that, but if the right circumstances presented themselves and it truly was a life or death situation and no one else wanted to jump in front of me to do the deed, I pray I'd have the courage to take whatever action was needed. I hope there would be radio guidance from medical folks on the ground. I'd also ask for two ambulances--one for the patient and one for me.