First Aid and Medical Emergencies
Core concepts
Medical questions reward a systematic approach. Use DRABC - danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation - then treat what you find. Check for response and normal breathing for up to 10 seconds; if the passenger is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR at 30 compressions to 2 ventilations, 100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep, and send for the AED and emergency medical kit. Recognise the common in-flight presentations: fainting (lie flat, raise the legs), hyperventilation (calm and reassure, do not give oxygen by reflex), hypoxia (oxygen), choking (five back blows, then five abdominal thrusts), anaphylaxis (adrenaline auto-injector per protocol, oxygen, land as soon as possible), suspected stroke (FAST), hypoglycaemia (sugar by mouth only if fully conscious and able to swallow), seizure (protect the head, do not restrain, nothing in the mouth), burns (cool with water) and suspected spinal injury (do not move unless in immediate danger).
Know your equipment and its location: first aid kit, emergency medical kit, AED, oxygen, resuscitation masks and universal precautions. Know that the flight deck can reach ground-based medical advice, and that this advice - not your own diagnosis - drives most decisions.
Traps
Options built on 'always give oxygen' or 'give the passenger a drink' are usually wrong. Never give anything by mouth to a drowsy or unconscious passenger. Never move a suspected spinal case to a seat unless there is an immediate threat. Record times, vital signs and everything administered.
Rule of thumb
'Unresponsive and not breathing normally equals CPR and AED.' Everything else follows that line.