1. Good Samaritan Acts & Helping Out on Airplanes Legal and ethical aspects

2. GMC guidance doctor have an ETHICAL duty to assist in an emergency doctor have an ETHICAL duty to assist in an emergency in an emergency, WHERE EVER it may arise, you must offer anyone at risk the assistance you could reasonably be expected to provide – Good medical practice in an emergency, WHERE EVER it may arise, you must offer anyone at risk the assistance you could reasonably be expected to provide – Good medical practice Recognise and work within the limits of your professional competence – good medical practice Recognise and work within the limits of your professional competence – good medical practice

3. LAW Good Samaritan act exists in some countries and in the US there is an aviation medical assistance act Good Samaritan act exists in some countries and in the US there is an aviation medical assistance act In France can go to jail for NOT offering assistance in good Samaritan situations! In France can go to jail for NOT offering assistance in good Samaritan situations! No legislation in England and none planned so it remains an ETHICAL obligation with guidance from GMC…BUT no legal obligations No legislation in England and none planned so it remains an ETHICAL obligation with guidance from GMC…BUT no legal obligations

4. Medical Insurance Some airlines provide indemnity for good Samaritan acts Some airlines provide indemnity for good Samaritan acts MDU/MPS members insured for all good Samaritan acts in an emergency where they are a bystander (including USA + Canada) MDU/MPS members insured for all good Samaritan acts in an emergency where they are a bystander (including USA + Canada) Crew and captain ultimately responsible for health of passengers legally Crew and captain ultimately responsible for health of passengers legally

5. Dont Forget!! Confidentiality (in case of media interest!) Confidentiality (in case of media interest!) Keep a medical record of what happened Keep a medical record of what happened If consumed alcohol must make this clear when volunteering assistance If consumed alcohol must make this clear when volunteering assistance

6. TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT Basic first aid course Basic first aid course –Training programme –Reviewed annually Some airlines may have more advanced forms. Some airlines may have more advanced forms. No standards or guidelines in place No standards or guidelines in place

7. TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT Regulatory bodies - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 Regulatory bodies - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 2 types of kits 2 types of kits –Basic first aid kit –Medical kit AED – Compulsory on american flights only, but others airlines do carry them AED – Compulsory on american flights only, but others airlines do carry them

8. Telemedical services Many airlines now use the services of telemedicine companies, e.g. Medlink Service, which provide immediate advice by satellite telephone or high frequency radio from doctors who are particularly knowledgeable of air borne conditions. This service is used by around 90 airlines including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, BA, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Qantas Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways