Medical emergencies during air travel

Preview

Since August 1, 1986, all commercial aircraft have been carrying a new and better medical kit mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. As before, physician-passengers aboard these planes may be requested to evaluate a passenger in distress, and the care they are able to render should in many cases be expanded by use of the new supplies. In this article Dr Goodman reviews the contraindications to air travel, the management of common emergencies occurring during flight, and the limitations inherent in providing medical care aloft.