In-flight medical emergencies: response of anaesthetists who were passengers on commercial flights

All consultants and trainees in anaesthesia in a large teaching hospital we re surveyed. Details of the number of flights per year and details of any m edical emergencies in which they had been involved were recorded. The mean number of flights per year was 7.1 domestic and 3.4 international. Of the 4 5 anaesthetists surveyed, 14 had dealt with emergencies in flight, four had dealt with more than one. The minor emergencies (12) included transient is chaemic attacks, abdominal pain and otitis media. The seven serious events included seizures, angina, hypoglycaemic coma, respiratory arrest and two f atal cardiac arrests. No flights were diverted. On only two occasions were their medical qualifications checked. Requests for documentation were unusu al. On several occasions the equipment which was available was inadequate. All doctors that responded were insured in the UK and most stated that they would assist Americans on American airlines. Medical emergencies were more likely on long haul flights.