CAT.IDE.A.225 Emergency medical kit

CONTENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS

(a)Emergency medical kits should be equipped with appropriate and sufficient medications and instrumentation. However, these kits should be supplemented by the operator according to the characteristics of the operation (scope of operation, flight duration, number and demographics of passengers, number of decks, etc.).

(b)The following should be included in the emergency medical kit:

(1)Equipment

(i)sphygmomanometer — electronic recommended;

(ii)stethoscope;

(iii)syringes and needles;

(iv)intravenous cannulae (a sufficient supply of intravenous cannulae should be available, subject to the amount of intravenous fluids carried on board);

(v)tourniquet;

(vi)disposable gloves;

(vii)needle disposal box;

(viii)one or more urinary catheter(s), appropriate for either sex, and anaesthetic gel;

(ix)aspirator;

(x)blood glucose testing equipment;

(xi)scalpel;

(xii)pulse oximeter; and

(xiii)pneumothorax set.

(2)Instructions: the instructions should contain a list of contents (medications in trade names and generic names) in at least two languages (English and one other). This should include information on the effects and side effects of medications carried. There should also be basic instructions for use of the medications in the kit and guidance for conversion of units for the blood glucose test. The operator should make the instructions readily available. If an electronic format is available, then all instructions should be kept on the same device. If a paper format is used, then the instructions should be kept in the same kit with the applicable equipment and medication.

(3)Medications

(i)coronary vasodilator e.g. glyceriltrinitrate-oral;

(ii)antispasmodic;

(iii)epinephrine/adrenaline 1:1 000;

(iv)adrenocorticoid;

(v)major analgesic;

(vi)diuretic — injectable;

(vii)antihistamine — oral and injectable (including paediatric form);

(viii)sedative/anticonvulsant — oral plus injectable and/or rectal sedative;

(ix)medication for hypoglycaemia (e.g. hypertonic glucose);

(x)antiemetic — injectable;

(xi)antibiotic — injectable form — Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime;

(xii)bronchial dilator — inhaled (disposable collapsible spacer);

(xiii)IV fluids in appropriate quantity e.g. sodium chloride 0.9 % (minimum 250 ml); and

(xiv)acetylsalicylic acid — oral — for coronary use.

CARRIAGE UNDER SECURE CONDITIONS The emergency medical kit should be kept either in the flight crew compartment or in another secure location in the cabin that prevents unauthorised access to it.

ACCESS TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT

(a)When the actual situation on board so requires, the commander should limit access to the emergency medical kit.

(b)Drugs should be administered by medical doctors, qualified nurses, paramedics or emergency medical technicians.

(c)Medical students, student paramedics, student emergency medical technicians or nurses aides should only administer drugs if no person mentioned in (b) is on board the flight and appropriate advice has been received.

(d)Whenever allowed under the operator’s national legislation, drugs may be administered by suitably trained persons, other than medical doctors.

(e)Oral drugs should not be denied in medical emergency situations where no medically qualified persons are on board the flight.

MAINTENANCE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT To be kept up to date, the emergency medical kit should be:

(a)inspected periodically to confirm, to the extent possible, that the contents are maintained in the condition necessary for their intended use;

(b)replenished at regular intervals, in accordance with instructions contained on their labels, or as circumstances warrant; and

(c)replenished after use-in-flight at the first opportunity where replacement items are available.

SECURE LOCATION ‘Secure location’ refers to a location in the cabin that is not intended for the use by passengers and preferably to which passengers do not have access.

CONTENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS The operator may supplement emergency medical kits according to the characteristics of the operation based on a risk assessment. The assessment does not require an approval by the competent authority.

LITHIUM BATTERIES Risks related to the presence of lithium batteries should be assessed. All equipment powered by lithium batteries carried on an aeroplane should comply with the provisions of AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.140(f) including applicable technical standards such as (E)TSO-C142.