What do pilots do if there’s a medical emergency onboard?
Captain Lim Khoy Hong explains how pilots handle such situations.
In the event of a medical emergency onboard, the captain’s primary concern is to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected passenger while maintaining overall flight safety. Normally, the cabin crew informs the captain about the situation, and the captain coordinates with them to ensure that the airline’s medical emergency protocols are followed. This includes using the onboard medical kit and automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac issues if needed.
Call The Doctor An announcement is usually made to ask if any medical professionals onboard can assist. Simultaneously, the captain contacts ground-based medical support for advice on managing the emergency. Some airlines partner with remote medical assistance service providers for real-time medical support that assists flight crews during in-flight emergencies.
The crew is connected to doctors and specialists who help assess and manage the situation via a satellite link. This assistance is crucial in determining whether an emergency landing is necessary or if the issue can be managed onboard until the flight reaches its destination.
Such services are invaluable, providing expert medical guidance when immediate attention is required, especially in the absence of medical professionals onboard. For the captain, this support alleviates the difficult decision of whether to divert the flight when lacking sufficient specialist medical information to make an informed choice.
Prioritizing Guest Safety For airlines without this service, the decision to divert falls entirely on the captain. There is no strict policy dictating when a flight should be diverted; the decision involves evaluating multiple factors, such as the condition of the ill guest, whether the nearest airport has adequate medical resources, and whether a diversion would require dumping fuel.
Flight crews are well-trained to manage medical emergencies efficiently. However, if a passenger’s condition becomes critical, the captain has the authority to divert the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport to ensure the passenger receives timely medical attention. The ultimate goal is to prioritize guest safety while carefully considering the broader implications of a diversion.
After landing, the crew prepares a detailed report outlining the incident, the actions taken, and the assistance provided. This documentation is essential for airline records and legal compliance.
Pilots and cabin crew are trained to handle such situations with professionalism and composure, always placing the health and safety of passengers as their highest priority.
Passengers also play a vital role during such a situation. If a medical professional is onboard, his expertise can significantly improve the outcome for the affected passenger. Airlines encourage passengers with medical training to identify themselves to the crew, as their assistance can be invaluable in stabilizing a patient before landing.
Another key aspect is the availability of advanced medical kits on the plane. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and aviation regulatory bodies set strict guidelines for the contents of these kits, ensuring they meet the highest medical standards.
Finally, communication between the cockpit, cabin crew, and ground support is important. Pilots rely on real-time updates from the medical team to make informed decisions. If a diversion is necessary, air traffic control coordinates to provide the fastest and safest route to the nearest suitable airport.
The collaborative effort between passengers, crew, and medical professionals ensures that in-flight medical emergencies are managed as effectively as possible, prioritizing passenger health while maintaining flight safety.
Ultimately, the captain plays a crucial role to ensure a good medical emergency is efficiently carried out.
The above article appeared in the May 2025 issue of redcap, AirAsia’s in-flight magazine.