You are probably looking forward to your next flight, imagining yourself relaxing on a beautiful beach or exploring a new city. But what if something goes horribly wrong on the way? What if you encounter a health incident on board, such as vomit, diarrhea, blood, or urine? How do you deal with the discomfort, the disgust, and the potential health risks? In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about health incidents on board, based on an article by euronews.travel. We will explain why they happen, how often they happen, and how they are handled by the crew and the airlines. We will also give you some tips and tricks on how to avoid them or cope with them if they happen to you.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Do Health Incidents Happen on Board?
How Often Do Health Incidents Happen on Board?
How Are Health Incidents Handled by the Crew and the Airlines?
How to Avoid Health Incidents on Board: Tips and Tricks
Conclusion
FAQs
Introduction Health incidents on board are situations where passengers or crew members experience some kind of bodily fluid leakage or spillage, such as vomit, diarrhea, blood, or urine. These situations can be caused by various factors, such as illness, injury, stress, alcohol, or turbulence. They can also vary in severity, from minor accidents to major emergencies. Health incidents on board can be very unpleasant and uncomfortable for everyone involved. They can also pose health risks, such as infection or contamination. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent them or deal with them if they occur. In this blog post, we will share with you some information and advice from an article by euronews.travel, which interviewed Jenna Brown, an environmental health expert who specializes in food safety and public health. She will explain the causes, frequency, and consequences of health incidents on board, as well as the best practices and tips for avoiding them or coping with them.
Why Do Health Incidents Happen on Board? According to Brown, health incidents happen on board for various reasons. Some of them are related to the physical and psychological conditions of flying, such as:
Altitude: Flying at high altitudes can affect the body’s oxygen levels, blood pressure, and digestion. This can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding.
Motion: Flying can also cause motion sickness, especially during turbulence or landing. This can trigger dizziness, vertigo, or vomiting.
Stress: Flying can also induce stress or anxiety in some people, especially those who have a fear of flying or claustrophobia. This can lead to panic attacks, hyperventilation, or fainting.
Alcohol: Flying can also increase the effects of alcohol consumption, due to lower oxygen levels and dehydration. This can cause intoxication, vomiting, or loss of bladder control.
Some other reasons are related to the personal and medical conditions of passengers or crew members, such as:
Illness: Flying while sick can worsen the symptoms or spread the infection. Some common illnesses that can cause health incidents on board are norovirus (a type of virus that causes stomach flu), food poisoning (a type of bacterial infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea), or menstrual cramps (a type of pain that occurs during menstruation).
Injury: Flying while injured can also aggravate the wound or cause bleeding. Some common injuries that can cause health incidents on board are cuts (a type of skin damage that causes bleeding), nosebleeds (a type of bleeding that occurs from the nose), or bruises (a type of tissue damage that causes discoloration).
Medication: Flying while taking medication can also interfere with the body’s functions or reactions. Some common medications that can cause health incidents on board are laxatives (a type of drug that stimulates bowel movements), anticoagulants (a type of drug that prevents blood clotting), or diuretics (a type of drug that increases urine production).
How Often Do Health Incidents Happen on Board? According to Brown, health incidents happen on board more often than we think. She says that there is no official data on the frequency of health incidents on board, but based on her experience and research, she estimates that they occur in about one out of every 100 flights. She says that most health incidents are minor and manageable by the crew and the passengers themselves. However, some health incidents are more serious and require medical attention or emergency landing. She says that these cases are rare but not unheard of. She also says that we hear more about health incidents on board nowadays because of social media and news outlets. She says that these platforms can amplify and sensationalize these events, making them seem more common and dramatic than they really are.
How Are Health Incidents Handled by the Crew and the Airlines? According to Brown, health incidents are handled by the crew and the airlines in different ways, depending on the type and severity of the situation. She says that the crew and the airlines have protocols and procedures to deal with health incidents on board, such as:
Cleaning: The crew is trained to clean up any bodily fluids or spills on board, using protective equipment and disinfectants. They also have special kits and bags to dispose of any contaminated materials or waste. They also try to isolate or cover any affected areas or seats, to prevent further exposure or spread.
Assisting: The crew is also trained to assist any passengers or crew members who are experiencing health issues on board, using first aid or medical supplies. They also have access to a doctor on the ground, who can provide guidance or advice via phone or radio. They also try to calm or comfort any distressed or affected passengers or crew members, to reduce stress or anxiety.
Reporting: The crew is also required to report any health incidents on board, to the captain, the airline, and the authorities. They also have to fill out a form or a log, documenting the details and outcomes of the situation. They also have to inform any passengers or crew members who were involved or exposed, about any potential risks or follow-ups.
Landing:
The crew is also authorized to request an emergency landing, if the situation is too serious or dangerous to continue flying. They also have to coordinate with the airport and the emergency services, to prepare for the arrival and the evacuation. They also have to notify any passengers or crew members who need medical attention or assistance, about the procedures and the options.
How to Avoid Health Incidents on Board: Tips and Tricks According to Brown, health incidents on board can be avoided or minimized by following some tips and tricks, such as:
Before flying: You should check your health condition and consult your doctor before flying, especially if you have any illness, injury, or medication. You should also avoid consuming any food or drink that can cause stomach upset or dehydration. You should also pack some essentials, such as tissues, wipes, sanitizer, mask, etc.
During flying: You should stay hydrated and eat lightly during flying, avoiding alcohol or caffeine. You should also move around and stretch your legs occasionally, avoiding sitting for too long. You should also use the restroom when needed, avoiding holding it in. You should also relax and breathe deeply, avoiding stress or panic.
After flying: You should monitor your health condition and seek medical help if needed, especially if you experience any symptoms or signs of infection or contamination. You should also wash your hands and clothes thoroughly, avoiding touching your face or eyes. You should also report any health incidents that occurred on board, to the airline or the authorities.
Conclusion In this blog post, we have learned about health incidents on board, based on an article by euronews.travel. We have learned why they happen, how often they happen, and how they are handled by the crew and the airlines. We have also learned some tips and tricks on how to avoid them or cope with them if they happen to us. We hope that this blog post has been informative and helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments about this topic or any other related topics, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs Q: What are health incidents on board? A: Health incidents on board are situations where passengers or crew members experience some kind of bodily fluid leakage or spillage, such as vomit, diarrhea, blood, or urine.
Q: What causes health incidents on board? A: Health incidents on board can be caused by various factors, such as altitude, motion, stress, alcohol, illness, injury, or medication.
Q: How common are health incidents on board? A: Health incidents on board are more common than we think. They occur in about one out of every 100 flights.
Q: How serious are health incidents on board? A: Health incidents on board can vary in severity, from minor accidents to major emergencies. They can also pose health risks, such as infection or contamination.
Q: How can I prevent health incidents on board? A: You can prevent health incidents on board by:
- Check your health condition before flying
- Avoid food or drink that can cause stomach upset
- Stay hydrated and eat lightly during flying
- Move around and stretch your legs occasionally
- Use the restroom when needed
- Relax and breathe deeply during flying
- Monitor your health condition after flying
- Wash your hands and clothes thoroughly after flying
- Report any health incidents that occurred on board
*** Fly safe and support peace wherever you go!
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