[omegant]

The European rules for emergency medical kit (I guess FAA rules are very similar) also automatic defibrilators are increasingly being included in these kits:

CONTENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS

(a) Emergency medical kits should be equipped with appropriate and sufficient medications and instrumentation. However, these kits should be supplemented by the operator according to the characteristics of the operation (scope of operation, flight duration, number and demographics of passengers, number of decks, etc.).

(b) The following should be included in the emergency medical kit:

(1) Equipment

(i) sphygmomanometer — electronic recommended;

(ii) stethoscope;

(iii) syringes and needles;

(iv) intravenous cannulae (a sufficient supply of intravenous cannulae should be available, subject to the amount of intravenous fluids carried on board);

(v) oropharyngeal airways (three sizes);

(v) tourniquet;

(vi) disposable gloves;

(vii) needle disposal box;

(viii) one or more urinary catheter(s), appropriate for either sex, and anaesthetic gel;

(ix) aspirator;

(x) blood glucose testing equipment;

(xi) scalpel.;

(xii) pulse oximeter; and

(xiii) pneumothorax set.

(2) Instructions: the instructions should contain a list of contents (medications in trade

names and generic names) in at least two languages (English and one other). This should

include information on the effects and side effects of medications carried. There should also be basic instructions for use of the medications in the kit and guidance for conversion

of units for the blood glucose test. The operator should make the instructions readily available. If an electronic format is available, then all instructions should be kept on the same device. If a paper format is used, then the instructions should be kept in the same

kit with the applicable equipment and medication.

(3) Medications

(i) coronary vasodilator e.g. glyceriltrinitrate-oral;

(ii) antispasmodic;

(iii) epinephrine/adrenaline 1:1 000;

(iv) adrenocorticoid;

(v) major analgesic;

(vi) diuretic — injectable;

(vii) antihistamine — oral and injectable (including paediatric form);

(viii) sedative/anticonvulsant — oral plus injectable and/or rectal sedative;

(ix) medication for hypoglycaemia (e.g. hypertonic glucose);

(x) antiemetic — injectable;

(xi) antibiotic — injectable form — Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime;

(xii) bronchial dilator — inhaled (disposable collapsible spacer);

(xiii) IV fluids in appropriate quantity e.g. sodium chloride 0.9 % (minimum 250 ml); and

(xiv) acetylsalicylic acid — oral — for coronary use.

[quinncom]

What emergency would necessitate a urinary catheter?

[kayodelycaon]

Enlarged prostate blocking the flow of urine for one example. My grandfather couldn't relieve himself without a catheter during the last year of his life.

[mbubb]

expected an AED - wonder if inflight vibration makes it unusable

[thomasjudge]

In the US all commercial airlines are required to carry AEDs and train staff to use them. So the internet tells me