CPR and AED Education Awareness: Increasing Survival Rates in Air Travel Emergencies

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CPR and AED Education Awareness Increasing
Survival Rates in Air Travel Emergencies
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In today's world, where air travel has become a
routine part of our lives, it is essential to
address the potential risks and emergencies that
can occur onboard an aircraft. Recent research
suggests that thousands of air travelers
experience cardiac arrest each year, with
approximately 25 of these incidents happening
during a flight. However, thanks to the
widespread availability of CPR and automated
external defibrillators (AEDs), survival rates
for such emergencies are higher than the national
average. Published in the Journal of the
American Heart Association, a new study sheds
light on the frequency of cardiac arrests and the
efficacy of life-saving interventions onboard
airplanes. With the summer season witnessing a
surge in air travel following pandemic-related
restrictions, this study gains significance in
promoting awareness and preparedness.
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Given the relatively infrequent occurrence of
cardiac arrests during commercial flights, there
has been limited research on their prevalence,
the utilization of emergency interventions, and
the outcomes. To bridge this knowledge gap, the
researchers examined records from Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport, focusing on adults who
received emergency medical services for cardiac
arresta condition caused by a sudden malfunction
of the heart's electrical system. It is important
to note that while heart attacks can trigger
cardiac arrest, other heart-related and
non-heart-related issues can also be contributing
factors. Over a period of 16 years, from 2004 to
2019, the researchers analyzed 143 cases of
cardiac arrest that occurred before the arrival
of emergency medical services. Out of these, 34
incidents (24) transpired during a flight, while
109 (76) occurred outside the aircraft. The
study revealed that individuals who experienced
cardiac arrest at the airport had a 44 survival
rate upon reaching the hospital, whereas those
who encountered the emergency while onboard the
plane had a survival rate of 15.
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Notably, even the survival rate for in-flight
cardiac arrests exceeds the national average of
less than 11 for out-of-hospital cardiac
arrests, underscoring the importance of CPR and
AEDs. Dr. Neal Chatterjee, the lead author of the
study, highlighted that all survivors of
in-flight cardiac arrests received prompt AED
treatment. He emphasized the significance of
early intervention in saving lives and called for
increased training and awareness among flight
attendants, airport staff, and bystanders to
improve outcomes in such emergencies. Dr.
Chatterjee further advised that if a bystander
witnesses someone collapsing or becoming
unresponsive, they should immediately alert a
flight attendant or airport employee. In an
airport setting, if one is comfortable performing
CPR until professional help arrives, they should
proceed accordingly. On the other hand, if the
emergency occurs during a flight, it is crucial
to promptly inform the flight crew and follow
their instructions.
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Creating a calm and organized environment with
designated individuals in charge is vital.
Trusting the expertise of the flight crew and
offering assistance in resuscitation efforts only
when requested can contribute to better outcomes.
Dr. Chatterjee, a cardiologist and cardiac
electrophysiologist at the University of
Washington Medical Center, stressed the need for
collaboration between the airline industry and
federal agencies to optimize training and the
application of AEDs in managing cardiac arrest
incidents. Extrapolating the study's findings to
global air travel, where approximately 5 billion
people fly commercially each year, it is
estimated that there are around 2,000
travel-associated cardiac arrests annually, with
350 of them occurring in the United States alone.
Dr. Chatterjee believes that this study delivers
a powerful message on the importance of CPR
training for bystanders and highlights the need
for the airline industry to collaborate with
federal agencies to enhance cardiac arrest care,
particularly in terms of AED utilization.
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Center for Resuscitation Science, commended the
study for demonstrating that survival rates above
the national average can be achieved when cardiac
arrest incidents are witnessed on planes or in
airports, and CPR and AED interventions are
promptly administered. He described the study as
reassuring for air travel passengers and called
for concerted efforts to improve survival rates
in other settings as well. Dr. Abella also
emphasized the need to expand research in other
transportation modes, such as passenger trains,
which remain largely unexplored in terms of
cardiac arrest incidents despite serving a
broader population.
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The study's findings highlight the importance of
CPR and AED education and awareness in air
travel. With the increasing number of passengers
taking to the skies, equipping flight attendants,
airport staff, and even bystanders with the
knowledge and skills to respond effectively in
cardiac arrest emergencies becomes imperative. By
providing early interventions and access to
life-saving equipment like AEDs, we can
significantly improve survival rates and ensure
safer travel experiences for everyone. This
research serves as a call to action for the
airline industry, medical professionals, and
regulatory authorities to collaborate in
enhancing CPR and AED education awareness, not
only in aviation but across all modes of
transportation. Together, we can make a
difference in saving lives and fostering a
culture of preparedness in emergency situations.
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Source https//www.heart.org/en/news/2021/09/14/t
hanks-to-cpr-and-aeds-air-travelers-have-higher-th
an-average-survival-rates-from-cardiac-arrest
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