Who should be alerted first in a medical situation on board?

• A. The lead flight attendant and the captain (and medical professionals if available)
• B. The ground medical team via radio
• C. The passenger with medical training
• D. The nearest hospital on the ground

Answer: (A)

The first step is to alert the people with the authority to manage the situation: the captain and the lead flight attendant. They are the onboard crisis managers who can quickly coordinate actions, declare emergencies if needed, and direct the crew and passengers. The captain can authorize contacting air traffic control and arranging ground support, including a priority medical response if/when a medical professional isn’t immediately on board. The lead flight attendant acts as the on-scene coordinator, assesses the cabin, summons medical expertise on board, and manages the use of the medical kit or AED under the captain’s direction. If there are trained medical professionals on board, they should identify themselves to the lead flight attendant so their help can be integrated into the response. Ground medical teams contacted by radio are a valuable resource, but they come into play after the internal chain of command is engaged. Decisions about diversion or landing are ultimately guided by the crew in consultation with medical guidance, not by the nearest hospital on the ground.