Who should you coordinate with during a medical emergency on board?

• A. On-board medical professionals
• B. The ground operations team
• C. No one; manage alone
• D. The passengers' relatives

Answer: (A)

In-flight medical emergencies, you rely on onboard medical professionals to lead the response. They bring trained assessment skills, knowledge of medical procedures within the aircraft’s capabilities, and the ability to guide the cabin crew on what to do next. They can triage the patient, administer appropriate care with the equipment on board, and determine whether a diversion is necessary, all while coordinating with the captain and any ground-based medical support as needed. This makes them the most immediate and competent resource for medical decisions in the cabin.

Ground operations teams provide important support and can assist with logistics or medical advice from the ground, but they aren’t the first medical contact on the aircraft. Trying to handle the situation alone isn’t safe, and involving passengers’ relatives isn’t appropriate for medical decision-making.