History of medical emergencies onboard the propliner era?

[blueaircraft]

Hi everyone! I hope this post reaches everyone in high spirits! I would like to know if there's any notable sources that concerns medical training for aircraft crew (ie stewards and pilots etc.). If not a source, then perhaps an anecdote? The thought simply crossed my mind - what would the aircraft crew do in the early and golden age of flight? Especially on a transatlantic flight on those slow and often prone-to-turbulence propliners...

Regards
Andrew

[Tom/CalClassic]

Other than the location of the first aid kits and portable oxygen bottles, aircraft manuals generally do not even mention this. I assume it is up to the captain to decide whether to push on or divert to the nearest airport.

[blueaircraft]

I see. Thanks!

Regards
Andrew

[mrcapitalism]

Hi Andrew,

You might want to start with an article like this one, simpleflying.com/cabin-crew-through-the-ages-a-brief-history-of-flight-attendants/?newsletter_popup=1

From wikipedia, The first flight attendant ever (Heinrich Kubis) is not reported as being medically trained, but the first female attendant (Ellen Church) was a trained nurse.

I'll give some context of the modern day, which I think should reasonably apply to aviation history.

Giving medical attention isn't exactly a pilots duty. In the modern day (especially with reinforced cockpit doors), there is a division of duties. Pilots are concerned with flying, and the airplane. Flight Attendants are concerned with passengers, and the cabin. The two groups communicate with each other as needed.

what would the aircraft crew do in the early and golden age of flight? Especially on a transatlantic flight on those slow and often prone-to-turbulence propliners...

Well, I can tell you what they would do today. The pilots would fly the airplane, the flight attendants (steward/ess) would provide aid to the passenger. Tom can correct me if I'm wrong, but that division of duties has existed since the first flight attendants were staffed... or else somebody learned a hard expensive lesson somewhere along the way. Thus, the flight attendants are the ones which would possess medical training. The pilots receive flight training. The WRO/WTO (or pilot using radios) would be responsible for communicating a medical emergency to others. The Captain would have to use all information, crew input, and their judgment to make a diversion decision.

In simulating this, you as Captain are given a summary of the medical situation, and must make a decision to divert or continue. Sometimes, other passengers are medical professionals, and they can ask the captain for a diversion if they feel it's needed. In depth discussions of medical condition (and diagnosis by the pilots) are not expected, it would distract from the primary job, which is to fly the aircraft. "What is happening? Do we need to land right now?"

Another interesting thought I've had. The oceans have weather ships on station. These have communication equipment (among other things) and a full crew compliment, including a ship doctor. It would not surprise me in the least if the doctor was frequently called to the radio room, to give medical advice over the radio to a passing flight.

[blueaircraft]

Thanks mrcapitalism, sounds right to me

Regards
Andrew