Don't let health woes gain ground when you fly
In this day and age, nobody flies for his or her health.
The dry, recycled air at 35,000 feet causes dehydration and respiratory infections. Sitting straitjacket style for several hours causes swollen ankles and even blood clots. And there's no telling what those pillows and blankets we dig out of the overhead bins might cause.
But it's the fear of a life-threatening emergency that really causes our hearts to stop.
Just recently, on an American Airlines flight heading from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to New York City, a woman suffered a heart attack and died. Her cousin blamed the flight crew for not responding quicker and the aircraft for faulty equipment.
According to the airline, however, emergency gear was in proper working order, flight attendants responded correctly, and doctors and nurses onboard identified themselves and also helped. Which isn't always the case.
On one of my flights several years ago, a woman collapsed during the beverage service. We requested help over the public-address system and got two responses.
One was from a retired teacher who worked part time in a doctor's office. The other one was from a woman who wanted to be sure she got her bag of pretzels.
Our captain made contact with Medlink, an emergency medical service that provides medical help from the ground, and, except for the passenger who never got her pretzels, the story had a happy ending.
But we were lucky. An airplane cabin is not an ideal place for an emergency. In fact, no place is ideal for an emergency.
Still, they do happen. And it's important for travelers to take precautions while their feet are still firmly on the ground. Here are a few suggestions:
• See your doctor. Be sure you're properly vaccinated for the places you plan to visit. If you have limitations, such as heart problems or diabetes, be sure it's OK for you to fly.
• Ask questions. Some health issues aren't a problem at sea level but might take off when you take off. Trapped air caused by surgery and dental procedures can cause severe pain at cruising level long after the operation.
• Check with your airline. If you need special assistance, be sure the airline can provide it. The oxygen regularly boarded on an aircraft is for emergency use only. If you need oxygen on a more regular basis, most carriers require you to order it ahead of time. If you are subject to seizures or have certain limitations, be sure to let the flight attendants know before you're airborne.
• Pack your carry-on carefully. Checked luggage often goes astray. Pack any necessary medications and prescriptions in your carry-on luggage. Heart medications and insulin won't do you any good from the belly of an aircraft.
Keep your medications in their original containers. Security agents sometimes become nervous about unmarked drugs. Passengers who need medical syringes can take them through security if they have a prescription. Be sure to tell the security agent before you go through the metal detectors.
• Be prepared. Make sure you have enough medications and additional prescriptions to last for the entire time you're away from home.
You should also travel with copies of your medical records and contact numbers for your doctors. Some passengers load this information onto a jump drive and wear it on a cord around their necks.
• Check your insurance policy. If you're traveling out of the country, be sure your home policy covers emergencies. Travel clubs, such as Medjet, offer health assistance all over the world and will airlift you out of remote areas if you need it.
Remember, flight crews are trained to respond in emergencies, but they are not professional doctors or nurses. They have minimal training and equipment at their disposal. Don't be the one to test their skills.
Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.