Comments on: Airline Medical Emergencies http://beatofhawaii.com/airline-medical-emergenciesy-over-the-pacific-what-to-expect/ Hawaii Travel Deals, Tips, Culture and Analysis Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:38:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: John S http://beatofhawaii.com/airline-medical-emergenciesy-over-the-pacific-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-4229 John S Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:49:21 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=7757#comment-4229 I am a physician who recently helped during a medical emergency over the Pacific. The flight crew was well trained, the medical kit was well organized and stocked with medicines and equiptment (including IV fluids and medicines) and overall I was suprised how well everything went. I also was on a flight over the Pacific when a passenger became very agitated and psychotic. Again, the flight crew handled this exceptionally well, and with the help of the passenger's travelling companion and some of the medicines that the passenger had on board, a significant crisis was averted. I am a physician who recently helped during a medical emergency over the Pacific. The flight crew was well trained, the medical kit was well organized and stocked with medicines and equiptment (including IV fluids and medicines) and overall I was suprised how well everything went.
I also was on a flight over the Pacific when a passenger became very agitated and psychotic. Again, the flight crew handled this exceptionally well, and with the help of the passenger’s travelling companion and some of the medicines that the passenger had on board, a significant crisis was averted.

]]> By: Pua http://beatofhawaii.com/airline-medical-emergenciesy-over-the-pacific-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-4191 Pua Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:09:04 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=7757#comment-4191 It's important for our Hawaii travelers to know this information about what happens in a case of medical emergency when flying to the islands. Medical equipment on planes has improved quite a bit and flight attendants are trained for emergencies. However, most of us has experienced the situation when the pilot or purser was asking for a medical doctor on board. We all have to show responsibility when starting a flight in bad physical health. Better to be save than sorry and postpone the flight to Hawaii. You wouldn't enjoy your vacation anyways. Aloha Pua Best Hawaii Vacation Blog It’s important for our Hawaii travelers to know this information about what happens in a case of medical emergency when flying to the islands. Medical equipment on planes has improved quite a bit and flight attendants are trained for emergencies. However, most of us has experienced the situation when the pilot or purser was asking for a medical doctor on board.

We all have to show responsibility when starting a flight in bad physical health. Better to be save than sorry and postpone the flight to Hawaii. You wouldn’t enjoy your vacation anyways.

Aloha Pua
Best Hawaii Vacation Blog

]]> By: Colleen Lanin http://beatofhawaii.com/airline-medical-emergenciesy-over-the-pacific-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-4188 Colleen Lanin Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:50:20 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=7757#comment-4188 I like this article so much, I've added it to the Travel Mamas website on our News page! http://www.travelmamas.com/Pages/travel-mama-news.html#AirTravel I like this article so much, I’ve added it to the Travel Mamas website on our News page! http://www.travelmamas.com/Pages/travel-mama-news.html#AirTravel

]]> By: k http://beatofhawaii.com/airline-medical-emergenciesy-over-the-pacific-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-4185 k Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:48:48 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=7757#comment-4185 This is in regard to your article regarding a medical emergency in the air. There are some corrections that need to be made regarding the above article. There are many reasons that determine what a flight does and where it diverts to during a medical emergency. Also, all of these reasons a passenger does not need to know. Flight crews are trained to deal with a medical emergency. With hopefully the aid of a medical professional, who maybe traveling on board can assist the passenger until either on the ground or until the flight has reached their final destination. Of course, the health and well being of a passenger is the number one priority. Also airlines want to avoid a medical diversion because yes, it is costly. Very costly. Not only costs come in to play, but a lot of of other factors that may or may not indirectly affect all the other passengers. As an example a flight landed in SFO due to medical emergency. It was in route to Hawaii from Texas. However, due to the plane being fueled for a long route over the Pacific, all of us passengers had to deplane and the aircraft had to be inspected due to landing overweight. This resulted in hours delayed on the ground. Most airlines have a defibrillator now. However, flight crews have a protocol before using a one as well as all other medical equipment. Also, when one is in use there isn't anyone on the ground who can read the vitals that are being taken in "real time" aka in flight. The pads are released to medical personnel on the ground, and from there they can get the information they need. Again, not everyone will be in need of a defibrillator. Also, most medical emergencies can be avoided. Passengers must take responsibility of their own health. Airlines are not a medical clinic, and "free oxygen" is not distributed upon request. What is most important here is that passengers need to board an aircraft not ill. If you are going to take medication to help you relax during your flight do not mix it with alcohol or other medication that could cause you to need medical attention. Also, if you take medication bring it with you on board and don't check it in with your baggage. If you divert and need medical transportation you are financially responsible for that ambulance ride. The number of flights to and from Hawaii I have been on have had a medical emergency, and when we land the passenger is ok. Of course, I am concerned about the well being of this person, but more often than not it usually something that could have been avoided. As a medical professional who has assisted these well trained, and professional flight attendants it is evident flying while ill or drinking alcohol is a recipe for disaster. We are responsible for ourselves. If we feel that we are not well than we should avoid traveling. This is in regard to your article regarding a medical emergency in the air. There are some corrections that need to be made regarding the above article. There are many reasons that determine what a flight does and where it diverts to during a medical emergency. Also, all of these reasons a passenger does not need to know. Flight crews are trained to deal with a medical emergency. With hopefully the aid of a medical professional, who maybe traveling on board can assist the passenger until either on the ground or until the flight has reached their final destination. Of course, the health and well being of a passenger is the number one priority. Also airlines want to avoid a medical diversion because yes, it is costly. Very costly. Not only costs come in to play, but a lot of of other factors that may or may not indirectly affect all the other passengers. As an example a flight landed in SFO due to medical emergency. It was in route to Hawaii from Texas. However, due to the plane being fueled for a long route over the Pacific, all of us passengers had to deplane and the aircraft had to be inspected due to landing overweight. This resulted in hours delayed on the ground.

Most airlines have a defibrillator now. However, flight crews have a protocol before using a one as well as all other medical equipment. Also, when one is in use there isn’t anyone on the ground who can read the vitals that are being taken in “real time” aka in flight. The pads are released to medical personnel on the ground, and from there they can get the information they need. Again, not everyone will be in need of a defibrillator.

Also, most medical emergencies can be avoided. Passengers must take responsibility of their own health. Airlines are not a medical clinic, and “free oxygen” is not distributed upon request. What is most important here is that passengers need to board an aircraft not ill. If you are going to take medication to help you relax during your flight do not mix it with alcohol or other medication that could cause you to need medical attention. Also, if you take medication bring it with you on board and don’t check it in with your baggage. If you divert and need medical transportation you are financially responsible for that ambulance ride.

The number of flights to and from Hawaii I have been on have had a medical emergency, and when we land the passenger is ok. Of course, I am concerned about the well being of this person, but more often than not it usually something that could have been avoided. As a medical professional who has assisted these well trained, and professional flight attendants it is evident flying while ill or drinking alcohol is a recipe for disaster. We are responsible for ourselves. If we feel that we are not well than we should avoid traveling.

]]> By: Rene http://beatofhawaii.com/airline-medical-emergenciesy-over-the-pacific-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-4184 Rene Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:59:06 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=7757#comment-4184 Waiting to board flight Honolulu to SFO. Family of 4, parents and 2 semi-adult children. Immediately noticed the girl was extremely thin and haggard. She seemed very frail and actually laid on the floor, which her family did'nt seem too concerned. She did go outside to smoke a cigarette! Time to board, and the airline agent refused to let her board. Lots of drama from family, supervisor called, but eventually only mother and son boarded. Father and daughter were forced to get medical evaluation before they would let her board a later flight. Waiting to board flight Honolulu to SFO. Family of 4, parents and 2 semi-adult children. Immediately noticed the girl was extremely thin and haggard. She seemed very frail and actually laid on the floor, which her family did’nt seem too concerned. She did go outside to smoke a cigarette!
Time to board, and the airline agent refused to let her board. Lots of drama from family, supervisor called, but eventually only mother and son boarded. Father and daughter were forced to get medical evaluation before they would let her board a later flight.

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