Is your Aircraft Heart Safe?

When you’re travelling, what comes to mind? Passport, tickets, in-flight entertainment? While these are things that travellers consider, have you ever considered whether your aircraft is heart safe?

Discover why checking whether your flight has a defibrillator onboard should be at the top of your travel tick-list.

Flying Facts

The Resuscitation Council (UK) states cabin crew require training in first aid and to carry first aid kits.

Since 2004, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requires all United States commercial airline flights to carry defibrillators on flights large enough to require at least one flight attendant and train the crew in using the device.

British Caledonian was the first UK airline to carry a defibrillator back in 1986. An investigation by Airport Parking and Hotels, states the following airlines have made the effort to equip themselves with defibrillators:

Air France Air Lingus Air New Zealand Alitalia (Long-Haul only) All Nippon Airlines British Airways Cathay Pacific easyJet Emirates Etihad Finnair Japan Airlines Jet2 KLM Lufthansa Norwegian Qatar Ryanair SAS Singapore Airlines Swiss Air Thomas Cook Virgin Atlantic

It is estimated there are 1,000 fatalities during commercial flights every year; the exact total of cardiac arrest fatalities is unknown. This is due to the absence of mandatory reporting.

In-flight emergencies are becoming more frequent due to continually growing passenger numbers and frequent travel of older passengers and those with chronic illnesses. Medical emergencies are reported to occur with a frequency of 1 per 10 – 40,000 passengers.

Changes to Departure

Being 40,000 ft up doesn’t deter from the fact that cardiac arrest occurs at any time.

Being a mile high removes the possibility of immediate medical attention. Only 22% of people in the UK feel confident performing CPR on a stranger, providing the patient with a significantly lower chance of survival.

Without immediate treatment, 90-95% of cardiac arrests are fatal. When treatment is delivered in the form of effective CPR and defibrillation of the heart within 3-5 minutes of collapse, the victim’s survival chance increases from 6% to 74%.

European data states there are approximately 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year; there is a possibility some occur on aircraft. It is essential airlines make the effort to protect both passengers and cabin crew by investing in defibrillators. Legislation would help drastically reduce the statistics and provide peace of mind for those travelling by air.

Heartsafe Holidays

We strongly support airlines and other public places equipping themselves with defibrillators. Having a readily available defibrillator makes a difference to the current survival statistics and help save lives.

defibshop are committed to equipping everyone with the skills and knowledge to save a life. Speak to one of our Product Specialists on 0161 776 7422 or fill out our Contact Form.