Emirates has announced 3,000 new cabin crew recruits with top-notch aviation first aid skills, after graduating from the airline’s rigorous cabin crew training program as part of the Day First Aid World this month.
New entrants who undergo 8 weeks of intense ‘ab-initio’ training in order to become world-class cabin crew. The ab-initio period includes a myriad of courses from safety to service, security and emergencies to hospitality, and the all-important medical response training.
Emirates crew are trained to handle a variety of situations on board, which includes learning essential life-saving skills. Using a combination of hands-on, on-site, classroom and online learning, new recruits receive invaluable lessons that prepare them for life and save the lives of others.
learning
Medical training is provided to new cabin crew on all aspects of first aid, including handling an unconscious victim, managing choking, recognizing and managing breathing difficulties such as asthma and hyperventilation, sudden illnesses such as chest pain, stroke, hypoglycemia, allergic reactions. severe, deep vein thrombosis, barotrauma, decompression sickness and substance abuse. The crew also learns how to manage injuries such as broken bones, burns and amputations, as well as communicable diseases, the importance of infection control procedures and onboard hygiene.
New recruits are trained in life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills, where they practice on patient simulation mannequins, and how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Using a specially designed medical dummy, cabin crew also experience what it’s like to deliver a newborn on board, as well as deal with death. All training is conducted by Certified Aviation First Aid Instructors, at the world class training center – Emirates Cabin Crew Training Center in Dubai.
Save lives
In July 2022 alone, Emirates cabin crew saved two passengers from cardiac arrest on two different flights. A potentially fatal incident, cardiac arrest causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. Lack of blood flow to the brain and other organs can lead to unconsciousness, disability or death of a person if not treated immediately.
Emirates cabin crew used a combination of CPR techniques and a defibrillator to save the lives of the two passengers and keep them stable until they could receive medical attention from emergency services at the floor. Both passengers are now recovering well.
Assistance to cabin crew
When there is a medical incident on board, cabin crew are supported by the flight deck crew (Captain/Pilot and First Officer/Co-Pilot) and a team called Ground Medical Support. Ground Medical Support is a team based at Emirates Headquarters, available 24/7 via satellite communication to support and advise crews around the world on medical incidents on board.
From a psychological point of view, cabin crew also receive training on obtaining consent to assist passengers, empathize with the sick and their families, remain calm, keep the injured informed at all stages. and be present with the injured person until the situation improves. They also learn to deliver difficult news when needed. After any incident, cabin crew also receive support for their own mental health, through the Emirates Employee Assistance Programme, Peer Support Service and Employee Wellbeing Programme. from Sehaty – Emirates.
Cabin crew knowledge and skills are put to the test every year during recurrent training, and the crew must complete a 1.5 hour online course, a 2 hour practical session to CPR, AED, severe bleeds, and severe allergy management, with assessments for each. The experienced crew also participate in a mock flight exercise every year to ensure they are fully equipped to handle any medical incident and that their knowledge is regularly refreshed.
Putting first aid into action
Flying with the world’s largest airline, Emirates cabin crew experience new nonstop adventures by traveling to more than 150 cities across 85 countries. Many Emirates cabin crew describe the role as “the best job in the world” – not just because they offer award-winning service at 40,000ft and the unique lifestyle that comes with the job, but because that they also discover their own heroic potential through life-saving and emergency management skills.
Access to Emirates Aviation First Aid training helps new recruits develop their communication skills, initiative and leadership qualities, ability to work effectively in a team, focus to stay mentally strong and calm to work effectively under pressure, and – how to save and protect the lives of others. – TradeArabia Press Service
