Life-Saving at 30,000 Feet: Managing Medical Emergencies on Airplanes

According to the CNN Report: Dr. Sij Hemal's Unforgettable Flight: A Story of an In-Flight Delivery Dr. Sij Hemal, a 27-year-old medical resident, embarked on a flight from India to the US after celebrating his best friend's wedding. Little did he know that this journey would become a defining moment in his medical career.

During a layover in Paris, Hemal boarded an Air France flight to New York City, where he planned to catch another flight to Cleveland. As the plane took off, Hemal settled into his seat, ready to enjoy the flight. However, his tranquility was soon interrupted by a flight attendant's urgent announcement. 

Curious, Hemal removed his headphones and observed the cabin's reaction. He discovered that the announcement had been made earlier in French, causing him to miss it. Seated next to him was Dr. Susan Shepherd, a pediatrician who had been working with Médecins Sans Frontières.

They decided to collaborate, with Hemal taking the lead and Shepherd providing assistance if necessary. Guided by a flight attendant, Hemal approached a distressed passenger, a woman in her early 40s complaining of back and abdominal pain. Uncertain of the cause, Hemal sought Shepherd's expert opinion.

Then, with two simple words, the situation became clear: "I'm pregnant." The realization hit Hemal like a jolt of electricity. The passenger was about to go into labor, and they were on an airplane, thousands of feet above the Atlantic Ocean, with no nearby airports. Hemal and Shepherd worked together, stabilizing the passenger for the next couple of hours. Suddenly, she went into labor, and her waters broke. With his limited experience in delivering babies, Hemal gathered his courage and took charge.

Alongside Shepherd and the supportive Air France cabin crew, he successfully delivered a healthy baby mid-flight. The mother and child were safely transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center upon landing at JFK.Despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins, Hemal barely had time to process the experience as he rushed to catch his connecting flight to Cleveland.

Once onboard, he reflected on the events, feeling a mix of shock and gratitude. The smooth delivery reinforced his dedication to the medical profession. "When faced with such situations or critical things, my conscience always tells me to help the needy one,” Hemal shared. "That's why I wanted to be a doctor in the first place.

" This remarkable in-flight delivery showcased Dr. Sij Hemal's commitment to patient care and his ability to remain composed under extraordinary circumstances. It serves as a testament to the crucial role medical professionals play in unexpected situations, even at 35,000 feet in the air. 

‘Is there a doctor on board to deal emergency ?

Doctors on airplanes: From Regular Passengers to Lifesavers We've all seen the iconic scene in movies and TV shows: a desperate call for a doctor on board. While it may seem like a tired cliché, the truth is that this situation does occur in real life. If you happen to be a medical professional or carry the prestigious title of "Dr." on your boarding pass, you are no stranger to this familiar plea.

Even if you hold a PhD without any medical qualifications, you might politely decline the request to assist. Of course, flight attendants are trained in first aid and can handle various in-flight medical emergencies. In fact, some prefer not to involve passengers at all. Nevertheless, there are moments when their expertise alone is not sufficient, and the help of a doctor becomes necessary.

So, what does it feel like for doctors when they hear that announcement and suddenly transition from enjoying their meal, sleeping, watching a movie, or relaxing to aiding a distressed passenger?

For Dr. Hemal, this mental switch is not as challenging as one might think. As a doctor, he is used to people constantly seeking his medical advice, even during his off-duty moments. Whether he is at parties, out with friends, or even in an Uber, someone always finds an opportunity to ask for his professional opinion. Thus, helping others is simply part of his daily routine.

However, not all medical professionals share the same enthusiasm. Many are scared or nervous about assisting on an airplane, given the specific and limited environment it poses. Medicine itself is a vast and intricate field, and there is a high chance of being confronted with a situation outside one's area of expertise.

Dr. Hemal, who has assisted in inflight medical situations a few times, always signs a "Good Samaritan agreement" to protect himself legally. This agreement clarifies that he is not entitled to compensation and shields him from potential litigation. In the United States, the Aviation Medical Assistance Act also offers legal protection to individuals who help during onboard medical emergencies.

While Dr. Hemal acknowledges the risks and uncertainties involved, he remains committed to offering assistance whenever possible. His sentiments are shared by Dr. Lauren Feld, a US-based gastroenterologist specializing in liver disease.

Dr. Feld has been involved in several inflight medical emergencies, although she has never delivered a baby on a plane. However, she once ordered an emergency landing, resulting in a significant flight delay, all to ensure the best interest of a distressed passenger. To her, having medical training and the ability to help people is a privilege that should not be taken lightly.

Like Dr. Hemal, Dr. Feld finds the transition from being an anonymous passenger to an onboard doctor relatively seamless. She has even been awakened by an inflight announcement and immediately switched into work mode to provide assistance. Despite being tired, doctors are accustomed to working in such conditions.

Dr. Feld personally refrains from drinking alcohol during flights due to her responsibilities of looking after her young children or catching up on sleep. However, she emphasizes that if a medical professional is called upon to help after having a few drinks or if they feel ill-equipped in any way, it is crucial to recognize their limitations and make decisions accordingly.

Strategies for Successful On-Board Assessments

Once upon a time, in the vast expanse of the sky, doctors faced extraordinary challenges while handling medical emergencies on airplanes. Stripped of the familiar comforts of a hospital, they embarked on a voyage of uncertainty. Dr. Feld and Dr. Hemal knew that the absence of a patient's medical history made their task even more daunting. They relied on mere fragments of information, piecing together the puzzle presented before them.

As they soared above the clouds, their vigilant eyes scanned for the most severe conditions that demanded immediate attention. Heart attacks and strokes loomed as potential threats, requiring swift action to rule them out. Yet, the vast majority of in-flight medical situations involved low blood pressure, fainting episodes known as vasovagal syncope, or anxiety attacks, according to Dr. Hemal.

However, the sky held mysteries that tested the doctors' diagnostic skills. Symptoms could lead them astray, blurring the line between harmful and benign conditions. Dr. Hemal vividly remembered a recent flight where an elderly man's heart palpitations sent shivers down his spine. Instantly, thoughts of a heart attack clouded his mind, given the passenger's age. Surprisingly, the cause was not what he expected.  

The man had consumed an excessive amount of marijuana brownies, resulting in an adverse reaction during the flight.In the limited confines of an airplane, doctors faced yet another hurdle: the lack of specialized equipment. The onboard medical kit proved insufficient for every medical scenario that might arise.

Dr. Hemal found himself delivering a baby mid-flight, all the while aware that he lacked a suturing kit. The thought lingered in the back of his mind, but fortune favored him, and stitches were not required.

The individual possesses a deep sense of moral responsibility to assist those in need, fueling their aspiration to pursue a career in medicine.

The airplane environment itself added an extra layer of complexity. The pressure differential within the cabin could worsen existing medical issues and hinder treatment, as Dr. Feld explained. The roar of the engines created a symphony that made hearing through a stethoscope a challenging task.

Moreover, the doctor-patient interaction was fleeting, yet intense. Unlike in traditional healthcare settings, where doctors follow patients throughout their health journey, these encounters were momentary. Dr. Feld described the peculiar feeling of not knowing the ultimate outcome, leaving a sense of unresolved curiosity.

Nonetheless, in the face of adversity, the doctors recognized the power of teamwork. They had experienced firsthand how collaboration with anyone who could lend a hand was paramount. Dr. Feld reminisced about her early days as a medical school graduate, thrust into an inflight emergency.

Two fellow passengers, a physician assistant from a cardiothoracic unit and an oncology researcher focused on research rather than clinical medicine, offered their assistance. Although she was the youngest and least experienced, Dr. Feld, the only trained doctor, found her voice heard, overcoming occasional disregard as a young woman.  United by a common goal, the trio worked in harmony. 

Despite the difficulties, Dr. Sij Hemal's in-flight delivery highlights the dedication and composure of medical professionals in unexpected situations, emphasizing their crucial role even at high altitudes.

Expert Advice to passengers

Doctors discourage untrained passengers from intervening in medical emergencies on airplanes, but it's recommended for the public to learn basic life support skills, including first aid, which can be useful in various situations, even outside of planes.

In case of a medical issue, passengers should call for help and inform the flight attendant while considering taking the person's pulse and starting chest compressions if trained, as suggested by Feld. Passengers with health conditions are advised to consult their doctors before flying, and Feld emphasizes her dedication to supporting individuals with chronic liver disease in their safe and enjoyable travel experiences.

Five years on-From Vision to Reality

Doctors who assist with in-flight emergencies may receive rewards like champagne, flight vouchers, or air miles, although it's not expected. One doctor's story of delivering a baby on a plane went viral, garnering both praise and criticism, but he remains committed to helping others in need without expecting recognition according to the CNN featured.