For these patients, every second counts, and waiting until the plane can land, even if an emergency landing is possible, takes too long. Approximately 220,000 Americans suffer a cardiac arrest outside the hospital each year. According to Robertson, a person s chance of survival decreases about 10 percent for each minute without defibrillation. The FAA rule requires airlines to carry AEDs on large passenger aircraft with at least one flight attendant. Under the rule, flight attendants will receive initial and recurring training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and on AEDs.
Flight attendants are emergency responders as well.
They are the individuals responsible for dealing with in-flight emergencies. It just makes sense that they should be equipped to handle cardiac events. The American Heart Association supports the placement of AEDs in places where large numbers of individuals gather and where there are individuals who are charged with responding to emergencies. To move the process along, the American Heart Association is working closely with members of Congress in the development of legislation to secure placement of the devices in airports. The Association is also supporting, in collaboration with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a large national study to determine the best way to provide emergency care in other public places.