Passengers who have a doctor or someone trained in first aid can help by administering CPR or other first aid measures.
Airplanes are equipped with first aid equipment, such as defibrillators, oxygen cylinders and medications, which can be used in an emergency.
Aircraft can land or crash-land as quickly as possible so that passengers can receive better medical treatment.
However, in some cases, a heart attack may not be life-saving, so prompt first aid is needed. On an airplane, passengers and crew can take the following steps to prevent a heart attack:
Passengers should inform airline staff of their health conditions, especially chronic conditions such as heart disease, before traveling on an airplane.
Crew members should receive regular first aid training on how to deal with sudden illnesses and take prompt action when needed.
Aircraft should be equipped with enough first aid equipment to be used when needed.
In short, a heart attack on an airplane requires prompt first aid, and passengers and crew should also take steps to prevent illness.