Medical issues in flight and updating the emergency medical kit

Figures & data

Table 1 Proposal for modified EMKs fashioned after a list published by the IATA^a

Equipment	Medications
Adhesive tape	Adrenocortical steroid injection
Airways, oropharyngeal (three sizes)	Antiemetic (injection or oral) Antihistamine injectable
Antiseptic wipes	Antipsychotic (injection or oral)
AED	Aspirin tablets 325 mg
Bag-valve mask	Atropine injection (heart block)
Basic life support cards	Bronchodilator
Broad arm sling	Dextrose, 50% injectable (50 mL)
Cervical collar(s)	Diphenhydramine injection
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation masks - adult and child	Epinephrine 1:1,000 pen and ampule
Crepe bandages 2″ and 3″	Epinephrine 1:10,000 pen and ampule
Disposable forceps	Lidocaine plain 2% injection
Disposable collapsible spacer	Naloxone ampules
Diuretic injection	Nitroglycerin S/L tablets or spray
Electronic thermometer or skin temperature sensors	Non-narcotic analgesic (injection or oral)
Emergency tracheal cannula	Oral beta blocker
Gloves (disposable)	Sedative anticonvulsant injection
Glucometer + test strips	Steroid tablets (oral)
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape	Sodium chloride 0.9% (1,000 mL)
Hypoallergenic disposable gloves
Intravenous catheters (sizes 14, 16, 18, and 20 G plus butterfly needles)
Oral airways (three sizes - child, adolescent, and adult)
Penlight
Pulse oximeter
Scissors (large for clothing and small for dressings, cutting tape, and so on)
Sharp disposal box
Sphygmomanometer (automatic)
Sponge gauze
Sterile and nonsterile gloves
Sterile dressings - range of sizes and thickness
Stethoscope
Support immobilizing splints (wrist, fingers)
Syringes and needles - a selection
System for delivering intravenous fluids
Surgical mask, protective oral airway
Tendon hammer
Thermometer (non-mercury)	Include:
Torch (flashlight) and batteries	Laminated instructions for the use of equipment and
Urinary catheter with sterile lubricating gel	medications (English, French, and Spanish)
Umbilical cord clamp
Venous tourniquets

Note: All ‘new’ items are written in italics.

Abbreviations: AED, automated external defibrillator; EMK, emergency medical kit; IATA, International Air Transport Association.