Flight Attendants' Training in CPR and AED: Ensuring Passenger Safety

When it comes to in-flight safety, flight attendants play a crucial role, but their role extends beyond just ensuring the comfort and compliance of passengers. One of the key areas they are trained in is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This comprehensive training is a mandatory part of their safety protocols, which ensures they are well-equipped to handle medical emergencies that may occur during a flight.

Why Flight Attendants are Trained in CPR and AED Use

Airlines have a strict safety policy that requires flight attendants to complete extensive first-aid training, including CPR and the operation of AEDs. The primary goal of this training is to prepare flight attendants to respond appropriately to in-flight medical emergencies. Techniques such as chest compressions and rescue breathing are taught to assist passengers experiencing cardiac arrest or respiratory issues. This crucial factor in maintaining passenger safety cannot be understated, especially in the unique and challenging environment of a commercial aircraft.

The Difference Between Pilots and Flight Attendants in Emergency Scenarios

While flight attendants are trained in CPR and the use of AEDs, the role of pilots in handling medical emergencies is also significant but different. Pilots typically undergo some classroom training related to medical emergencies, but this is more theoretical and does not include the hands-on practice necessary to administer CPR effectively. The primary responsibility of pilots is to navigate the flight, listen to the medical advice given by flight attendants, and make strategic decisions regarding whether to make an emergency landing or continue to the original destination. Pilots do not leave the flight deck and do not open the door between the flight deck and passenger cabin. For example, a diversion to a different airport requires significant planning and execution, which is a high-stress situation.

Training Details and Resources

Flight attendants at a US regional airline, as described by a source, are trained but not certified in CPR and AED use. They are not trained as EMTs or paramedics, which helps reduce the liability the company faces. In the event of a medical emergency during a flight, flight attendants are instructed to gather as much information from the ill passenger as possible, notify the captain, who then contacts dispatch via radio and connects to MedLink—a medical center with doctors who provide guidance until the flight can land.

Key resources on the plane include the first aid kit and the emergency medical kit (EMK). Flight attendants can use the first aid kit for basic treatments like bandages, but the EMK can only be accessed with instructions from MedLink or if a medical professional is on board. This regulation is based on cost and liability considerations. Flight attendants undergo annual recurrent training, which covers the use of oxygen bottles, contents of the first aid and emergency medical kits, and various health issues, but it does not extend to advanced medical and treatment procedures.

Statistical Realities

An interesting statistic to consider is that approximately 90% of people who receive CPR or have an AED delivered to them still do not survive. This means that while CPR and AED use are important life-saving skills, they are not always successful. The purpose of training in these areas is to prepare flight attendants to act quickly and effectively, but acknowledgment of their limitations is essential for realistic expectations.

In conclusion, flight attendants play a vital role in ensuring passenger safety by being trained in CPR and the use of AEDs, but their training has limitations. Understanding these limitations and the overall protocol can help passengers, airline staff, and the general public better appreciate the significance and challenges involved in in-flight medical emergencies.