(a) whether adequate arrangements have been made to meet the medical emergencies during
air travel;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any proposal to deploy doctors as crew members in aircraft during
air travel;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to meet medical emergencies
during air travel?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL )
(a): Yes, Madam. There are adequate arrangements to meet the medical emergencies during
the air travel.
(b): Under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section II Series `X` Part III
promulgated by the DGCA, civil aircraft have been mandated to carry:
i. First Aid Kit.
ii. Medical Kit where the aircraft is authorized to carry more than 100 passengers on a
sector length of more than two hours.
iii. Universal Precaution Kit on all aircraft that require a Cabin Crew member.
iv. Automated External Defibrillators.
(c): No, Madam. There is no such proposal at present.
(d): Does not arise.
(e): Following steps have been taken to meet the medical emergencies during the air
travel:
i. The Captain of the aircraft is authorized to divert the aircraft to the
closest suitable airfield to handle such medical emergency under Civil Aviation
Requirements (CAR), Sec-9, Series E, Part I.
ii. The cabin crew are trained as in First Aid as part of theri initial and refresher
training curricula.
iii. Doctors travelling as passengers often help other passengers in emrgency/trivial medical
need.
iv. Airports have functioning medical establishments run by Airports Authority of India/private
Airport/Airline to attent to passengers who take ill during flight.