Emergencies in the air: Problems, management, and prevention

Medical emergencies may arise on board commercial airlines. Although infrequent, such events annually affect a substantial number of air travelers. Physicians should be aware of the options available to them should they find themselves in an emergency situation on an aircraft. This article examines the incidence of in-flight emergencies, surveys the onboard medical kit, and explores various in-flight medical problems and treatments. It concludes with a discussion of various methods of prevention.