During an in-flight medical emergency, who is typically informed first?

• A. The captain
• B. The lead flight attendant, who informs the captain and medical professionals if available
• C. Medical professionals only
• D. Ground operations

Answer: (B)

In an in-flight medical emergency, the lead flight attendant acts as the first point of contact and coordinator in the cabin. They assess the situation, provide initial care with the on-board medical kit, and then rapidly notify the captain and any onboard medical professionals if available. This chain keeps the cabin response immediate and organized while flight operations are kept informed. The captain must be alerted to manage aircraft safety, potential deviations, and coordination with air traffic control, but they aren’t the first to be informed because the cabin crew is the team closest to the patient and responsible for the initial response. Ground operations come into play for overall support and arrival logistics, not the immediate medical triage.