Many of us will have heard these words, often in Hollywood films. However, if there is ever a medical emergency during a flight, the first course of action is to remain calm, assess the situation, and then, if necessary, call for medical assistance.
Good communication is one thing, but above all we also all learnt what medications we carry on board, which of those we can give to passengers ourselves and which can only be given by a doctor. We can also all give CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) – so we’re “professionals in heart/lung reanimation”. We practised for hours and resuscitated the dolls until every move was absolutely perfect, and finished with a practical exercise at the end. We all did our best. Had the dolls not been made of plastic , we would undoubtedly have been able to reanimate them.
We also learnt about the symptoms of various diseases and disorders. What are the signs of thrombosis (blood clot or DVT), and what can we do if it happens? Do you know what the signs of thrombosis are? They can be cramp-like pains in the calf or thigh region, or feel like the pains after strenuous exercise, feelings of tension, pressure, swelling, or a very warm area on the affected leg. So be sure to watch out for any of these signs on your next flight, or alternatively wear compression stockings (flight socks) for the flight. Our trainers told us of various events, and now following this part of our training we are – in theory – ready for almost any medical emergency.
As the highlight of these intensive three weeks, one night we finally boarded a real aeroplane, the Airbus A320P. It had just returned from a trip and was waiting to be checked by the technicians. Our instructors showed us everything, from the cockpit to the WCs. We looked at all the material twice, and at the same time learnt what goes where. After all, in such a tight environment, everything must always be absolutely neat and tidy. We stayed in the hangar until 2 in the morning. The atmosphere was really special. I was tired but very happy when I got to bed an hour later. A really intensive time is drawing to a close, but I feel well prepared in every respect.
To sum up: In my new job, I am a combination of policewoman, bodyguard, fire fighter, lifeguard and doctor. And to be honest, what more could you want? Heaven help the person who calls me a “trolley dolly”.
My next blog is going to be a little less turbulent – it will be time to get into uniform, and do my hair and make-up. Must admit I’m really looking forward to it! But here too, there are various do’s and dont’s. It’s also time to get to know our products properly. How do you mix a Bloody Mary again? All part of the daily business. Look forward to it.
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