AP: Woman dies on commercial flight

[INIT915 1,119]

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Cousin: Woman dies on commercial flight from Haiti to JFK airport

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — An American Airlines passenger returning home from Haiti collapsed and died after a flight attendant told her he couldn’t give her any oxygen and then tried to help her with an empty oxygen tank, a relative said.

Full Article. Special attention to the refusal to administer 02 and the TWO empty 02 tanks.

http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.d...NEWS03/80224022

[ny10570 745]

Many things in that article don't sound right. I'm curious to see what really happened.

[E58RET 24]

I find it hard to believe that the crew doesnt check the O2 and the AED pre flight as any one involved with the public would, especially considering the flight time.It might help to know the passengers med hx

[grumpyff 1,159]

Maybe its just me, but something doesn't sound right. Sounds like the same people who cry it took an hour for EMS/Fire to get to a scene, but when you check the radio transcripts, it only took a few minutes.

As for not checking O2 and defibrillators, I would hazard a guesss that if its not on someone's (flight attendant or maintenance)check list , its not being done. How long has NYS required defibrillators in the schools, and other public places? I'd be willing to bet that most are coming up on needing new batteries (shelf life around 3 years), or new pads. Who is responsible for checking them? How often is it checked? Are the batteries even still charged? Just something to think about as you walk into your local grocery store/movie theater/shopping mall.

Edited February 25, 2008 by grumpyff

[Guest]

I happen to know the two EMTs who were on that flight that helped her, as well as the passenger who was flying with those EMTs and was sitting in the seat directly next to where the woman was laid down in the aisle, and from the account I've heard from the passenger, it doesn't match up too well to that report. To comment on the AED situation, I was told that it registered a non-shockable rhythm.

[RWC130 594]

I agree... something does not sound right.

But, I have to wonder... If they have Oxygen and AED and forgot

to check them... What else do they forget to check???

Emergency Equipment such as: Oxygen, First Aid Bag, AED, Flashlights, and Fire Extinguishers should

be on a Pre-Flight Checklist and someone being responsible.

Interesting story...

It had to be "uncomfortable" for the passengers when the Doctor pronounced the patient

dead and they put a sheet over the body.

"Attention passengers, upon exiting the plane please STEP OVER the body,

Thank you for flying"

[Guest paramedico987]

I got $5 that says it was a pulmonary embolism, which broke free from a DVT that she aquired on her ride down to Haiti.

Decrease the cabin pressure, then the vessel swells and suddenly something upstream goes downstream.

Happens all the time, but usually folks make it off the plane before they succumb.

A mute point now, but I would've used the emergency oxygen generator if it was really that neccesary. Just open the cover for the masks above the seat and pull down to activate the chemical reaction.

Edited February 28, 2008 by paramedico987