Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

A doctor writes: The cabin crew are able to cope perfectly well in a medical emergency

 

Jane Wilson-Howarth
Monday 13 May 2013 22:30 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It is the duty of a doctor to help as best they can in the event of an emergency. The keen young newly qualified doctors are often very quick indeed to respond. I never head the stampede, and often I’ve found there are too many offers of help, and not enough space to do anything.

On any decent-sized aircraft there will be a plethora of medics and perhaps allowing those who feel most up-to-speed to come forward is a good strategy. All doctors are not equally competent in emergency situations. For example, I’d rather be assessed by a GP than a pathologist.

On one occasion, when I was the only doctor involved in an incident (there was no loudspeaker appeal: my husband “volunteered” me), the stewardesses were coping admirably with a simple faint and I didn’t do much – except confirm the diagnosis and make reassuring noises. Often in a real emergency, CPR is what is most important and many people are trained in this, including the cabin crew.

Clearly, people are reassured if there is a doctor on hand even if, if truth be told, we’re not always that useful. What we are good at is being able to assess rapidly who is really ill and who has just fainted.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in