What types of medical emergencies might crew members encounter?

Crew members are trained to recognize and respond to critical medical emergencies that require immediate attention, such as cardiac arrest, choking, and severe allergic reactions. These situations pose significant risks to the individual's life and need timely intervention to prevent serious outcomes.

Cardiac arrest is a condition where the heart stops beating effectively, leading to a lack of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Recognizing the signs and performing CPR or using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be lifesaving. Choking can obstruct a person's airway and result in suffocation, making it crucial for crew members to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver or similar techniques. Severe allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis, a rapid and life-threatening response to allergens that requires swift administration of epinephrine and other emergency procedures.

In contrast, conditions such as flu symptoms, common colds, infections, chronic illnesses, and minor injuries tend to be non-life-threatening or can be managed with basic first aid and do not require the urgent, specialized responses that emergencies do. Therefore, focusing on the most critical medical emergencies prepares crew members to deal effectively with situations that can have immediate consequences for passengers' health and safety.