When you book a plane ticket, you're purchasing the ability to fly to your destination. But a service that's included with your ticket, not many get to witness or experience. Flight attendants are trained in various safety materials onboard the aircraft that can aid in saving one life--or everyone's life.
Just like on-the-ground cuts, scrapes and burns can happen when on board an aircraft. But the flight attendants are ready; the airlines place a first aid kit onboard each plane in case of situations such as this. Each kit includes bandages, burn gel, arm splints, leg splints, bandages and gauze rolls to help remedy these everyday situations. Keep in mind though, the first aid kit can be opened and used by a flight attendant only.
In situations such as finding a passenger unconscious, not breathing and showing no signs of circulation, cabin crew have an automated external defibrillator on hand. Otherwise known as an AED, flight attendants go through extensive training on the use and operation of this device and must verify it is in working order before each flight. The AED is battery-operated and can deliver an electrical shock through the chest wall to the heart to revive a passenger.
For those passengers who are feeling faint and lightheaded, or in the event of a cabin decompression flight attendants have portable oxygen bottles within their reach. Each airliner has a minimum of three on board, but most airlines supply extra. The cabin crew are trained to notice situations in which a passenger may require oxygen and how to properly administer it. Depending on the size, the bottles can last between 25 to 45 minutes at altitudes above 25,000 feet.
In situations that are more severe then the contents of the first aid kit can handle, the airlines place enhanced medical kits onboard the aircraft. These kits are designed for a medical professional's use and require a flight attendant to page for medical assistance. In the event a doctor or nurse isn't on board, the flight attendant's may use this kit under the direction of MedLink, a ground-to-air service with a qualified doctor on the ground walking the flight attendant through its use. This kit contains everything from IV equipment, medications, wound equipment and syringes.
In order to keep the flight attendants safe--who, in turn, can aid in keeping their passengers safe--the airlines provide a biohazard kit. This kit is used for cleanup purposes in cases where bodily fluids have been released from a person's body. Towels, aprons, masks, sharps containers and a biohazard bag are provided for safe and efficient cleanup and disposal.
