What is the first aid kit for an airplane?

Hopefully we will never have to use it, but it is interesting to know what we can find in the medicine cabinet of an airplane. A little out of curiosity, and a little to satisfy the anxious who pretend to have all the information possible to calm their own fears.

A flight kit should allow you to treat from a simple discomfort to a medical emergency: from a headache, indigestion, an attack of anxiety or asthma, a small cut, an allergy or even more serious things, such as a heart attack. Incidents for which flight personnel are trained to deal with.

First Aid Kit (FAK)

This kit is mandatory on any passenger aircraft, and can be used by crew members or by some passengers. The number of FAK’s going aboard the plane depend on the number of passengers is authorized to transport, increased kit for each strip of 100 passengers. For example, in an airplane with 180 passengers, it is mandatory to carry 2 of these kits. In addition, they must be well distributed throughout the aircraft cabin .

When any medication is supplied by the crew, the passenger must be asked to fill in the “medication request form” in addition to discarding if he is allergic to something, if he has drunk alcohol in the last 24 hours or if he has taken the same Medication.

Before the flight you must check if they are correctly located and if there is something missing, which should be replaced. In this type of kit includes:

• Antiseptic cottons
• Antiseptic (Cristalmin)
• Bandage: adhesive tapes
• Bandage: 7.5cm x 4.5m gauze
• Bandage: triangular and detachable
• 10 cm x 10 cm bandage for burns
• Bandage with sterile compress 7.5 cm x 12 cm
• 10.4 cm x 10.4 cm sterile gauze bandage
• 2.5 cm adhesive tape (in roll)
• Adhesive strips for wound closure (Steri-strip or equivalent)
• Hand wipes or wipes
• Protective patch, or tape, for the eyes
• Scissors 10 cm (if permitted by national regulations)
• Surgical Adhesive Tape 1.2 cm x 4.6 m
• Medical tweezers
• Disposable gloves (several pairs)
• Thermometers (without mercury)
• Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation mask with one-way valve
• First-aid manual in updated edition
• Analgesic between mild and moderate (Aspirin, Paracetamol)
• Antiemetic
• Antidiarrheal
• Nasal decongestant
• Antacids
• Antihistamine
• Incident Record Form

This kit includes the necessary elements to treat minor discomforts and accidents that may occur during a flight.

Emergency Medical Kit (EMK)

The medical kit is mandatory on all airplanes authorized to carry more than 100 passengers. This kit will only be used by a doctor or qualified personnel and under the authority of the Commander. He usually takes one in the plane, and will be stored in a safe and appropriate place.

The contents of the kit should be:

• Stethoscope
• Sphygmomanometer (preferably electronic)
• Oropharyngeal probes (various sizes)
• Syringes (various sizes)
• Needles (various types)
• Intravenous catheters (various diameters)
• Antiseptic wipes
• Disposable gloves)
• Needle waste box
• Urinary catheter
• System for the infusion of intravenous sera
• Venous tourniquet
• Sponge gauze
• Scotch tape
• Surgical mask
• Emergency tracheal catheter (or large-caliber intravenous cannula)
• Cord Tweezers
• Thermometers (without mercury)
• Basic First Aid Instruction Cards
• Mask with integrated bag and valve
• Flashlight and battery
• Adrenalin
• Injectable antihistamines
• Injectable corticoids
• 50% Dextrose Injection (or equivalent): 50 ml
• Nitroglycerin in tablets or aerosol
• Analgesics major (Metamizol, tramadol)
• Anticonvulsant sedative for injection (diazepam)
• Antiemetic injectable
• Bronchodilator (Salbutamol)
• Atropine Injection
• Coronary vasodilator (Cafinitrine)
• Diuretic Injection (Furosemide)
• Vasoconstrictor
• 0.9% sodium chloride (at least 250 ml)
• Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) for oral use
• Beta blockers

This kit includes instruments and products for more serious situations that may happen on the plane.

Now that we know exactly what the first and second-aid kits are for us and our family, perhaps we can do it more peacefully knowing that most of the health contingencies that normally occur in flight, Are covered by equipment, medication and staff preparation.