Time to medical help

Hi,

I have a question from a friend. Her daughters have nut allergies. She
wants to know how long it takes from cruise (41K?) to a gate from the time
they notify the crew of a medical emergency (e.g. anaphylactic shock).
Obviously it depends on their proximity to a suitable airport, but I'd like
to hear from the airline pilots in this group. She is specifically
referring to a flight from the SF Bay Area to the NY area.

She does have some medication/injection to give them, but obviously she
would want real medical treatment ASAP.

As a pilot, what kind of descent rates can a 737/A320/747 etc get in a
medical mergency? Would this descent rate be different than a descent for
decompression?

Thanks,

Hilton

Hilton wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a question from a friend. Her daughters have nut allergies. She
> wants to know how long it takes from cruise (41K?) to a gate from the time
> they notify the crew of a medical emergency (e.g. anaphylactic shock).
> Obviously it depends on their proximity to a suitable airport, but I'd like
> to hear from the airline pilots in this group. She is specifically
> referring to a flight from the SF Bay Area to the NY area.
>
> She does have some medication/injection to give them, but obviously she
> would want real medical treatment ASAP.
>
> As a pilot, what kind of descent rates can a 737/A320/747 etc get in a
> medical mergency? Would this descent rate be different than a descent for
> decompression?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Hilton
>
>
No one is going to do a classic decompression descent for any medical
emergency.

But, they can use the speed breaks, bust the 250 limit, etc. If the
weather is crummy below that limits it, too.

But, generally 20 to 30 minutes to be on the ground.

Hilton wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a question from a friend. Her daughters have nut allergies. She
> wants to know how long it takes from cruise (41K?) to a gate from the time
> they notify the crew of a medical emergency (e.g. anaphylactic shock).
> Obviously it depends on their proximity to a suitable airport, but I'd like
> to hear from the airline pilots in this group. She is specifically
> referring to a flight from the SF Bay Area to the NY area.
>
> She does have some medication/injection to give them, but obviously she
> would want real medical treatment ASAP.
>
> As a pilot, what kind of descent rates can a 737/A320/747 etc get in a
> medical mergency? Would this descent rate be different than a descent for
> decompression?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Hilton
>
>

The nearest APPROPRIATE landing site may not be the closest (which you
have acknowledged). You may take up to 15 - 30 minutes to get to the
gate in such a situation. If someone is going to die in 5 minutes, then
it doesnt really matter if its 15 minutes or 50 to get to the gate.

They are not going to do a dive/emergency descent for a medical
emergency (in the manner that they would for a cabin
breach/decompression. Those rapid descents are just to get below 10,000
feet then you stablize the flight path and form a plan (the emergency is
mostly over, from a pressurization standpoint then). An overly abrupt
descent can also interfere with providing care to the ill passenger.

If she is a severe anaphalactic, the appropriate course of action is to
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have her epi-pen with her, and not be hesitant
about using it if a true anaphylactic event takes place. Have TWO, in
case something happens to the first one. And thats for each potential
patient.

That IS the treatment. Thats the same drug paramedics or ER staff would
administer. There are other nice things, like benadryl, pepcid and
steroids, but for the real deal, Epinepherine/Adrenaline is the 1st line
priority treatment for anaphylaxis. After Epi.. its mostly a matter of
observing the patient...

Dave

Jay Maynard wrote:
> On 2008-02-20, Robert M. Gary <N7093v@**********> wrote:
>
>>Are you saying that all the emergency drugs in an ambulance are
>>available without a Dr's concent?
>
>
> When I was a volunteer paramedic, all of the drugs on our ambulance had
> prescriptions on file from our medical director. I wouldn't be surprised if
> the airlines had similar arrangements.

Not to mention, most major airlines today have instant medical
consultation available to the flight crew, via satellite link.

Happy Flying!
Scott Skylane

Jay Maynard wrote:
> On 2008-02-20, Robert M. Gary <N7093v@**********> wrote:
>
>>Are you saying that all the emergency drugs in an ambulance are
>>available without a Dr's concent?
>
>
> When I was a volunteer paramedic, all of the drugs on our ambulance had
> prescriptions on file from our medical director. I wouldn't be surprised if
> the airlines had similar arrangements.

No, airline personnel aren't nearly as well trained as paramedics. Some
of the stuff can be used only if an MD can be found on the flight.

Jay Maynard wrote:
> On 2008-02-22, Sam Spade <sam@coldmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Federal regulation pertaining to U.S. certificated Part 121 air carriers
>>trumps any prescription laws.
>
>
> Uh, no.
>
> A federal regulation does not trump a federal law. The law requiring things
> to be dispensed only on the order of a physician is a federal law. Now, it
> is possible that the law that authorizes the FAA also creates an exemption
> to the Food & Drug Act (or whatever it's called), but the FAA itself cannot
> override a law.

The FAA didn't pull 121.803 out of their butt. Congress provided them
with stautory authority in some manner.

Ron Rosenfeld wrote:
>
> My understanding is that the kit (the one with the restricted stuff in it)
> is for use only by medical professionals. At least that's what I've read
> in medical literature.
> Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

It's been a long time since I was PIC in 121 (but nut as long as Manicax.)

When they started putting that stuff in the kit we were told that the
restricted part of the kit could only be opened by an MD or DO. So, if
there wasn't one of those two on board, no use allowed.

Let's all remember that Anthony is not a physician, let alone a pilot, and
he has no training in either area.

Why engage him in these useless debates that he knows nothing about?

Let's all remember that Anthony is not a physician, let alone a pilot, and
he has no training in either area. He has never practiced medicine or flown
an airplane.

Why engage him in these useless debates on topics that he knows absolutely
nothing about?

Les Izmore wrote:
> Because it wasn't in a plastic bag and was confiscated by TSA...???
>
They don't confiscate pills, prescription or not. I travel all the time
with one of thos "granny" seven day pill dispensers and another large
container of non-prescription and prescription drugs in my brief case.
Nothing is ever saidl I think labeled precriptions become important
only when travelling internationally.