FAA orders airlines to carry defibrillators

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. airlines will be required to carry defibrillators and to upgrade their emergency medical kits within three years under a rule issued Thursday by the Federal Aviation Administration. The rule, mandated by Congress, is designed to improve the chances of passengers who have heart attacks while in flight. In the most common form of cardiac arrest, chances of survival can be as high as 90 percent if defibrillation -- electrical shocks that stimulate the heart to resume normal beating -- is provided during the first few minutes.

The rule applies to U.S. airlines' domestic and international flights.

Nine airlines currently either carry defibrillators and enhanced kits or have made a commitment to do so, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said. "Our rule will ensure that all airline passengers have access to this potentially life-saving device."

The FAA received 370 comments on the proposal. Most came from the family and friend of a 28-year-old man who died on board an airliner in July 2000, and who, they say, may have been saved if defibrillators had been available. The FAA rule also requires airlines to train flight attendants on the use of defibrillators and on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Passengers with medical training are frequently aboard aircraft and can help fellow passengers during emergencies, the FAA said. A "Good Samaritan" provision in the Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 limits the liability of air carriers and non-employee passengers unless the assistance is grossly negligent or willful misconduct is evident.

The FAA rule also orders other items added to the emergency medical kits. The total estimated cost to the airline industry over 10 years for the equipment, medications, and training is $16 million. In addition to the defibrillators, airlines must add the following items to their the emergency medical kits: oral antihistamine; non-narcotic analgesic; aspirin; atropine; a bronchodilator inhaler; lidocaine and saline; an IV administration kit with connectors; a bag to assist respiration after defibrillation; CPR masks.

Emergency medical kits already include: a sphygmomanometer (measures blood pressure); a stethoscope; three sizes of breathing tubes; syringes; needles; 50 percent dextrose injection (for hypoglycemia or insulin shock); epinephrine (for asthma or acute allergic reactions); diphenhydramine (for allergic reactions); nitroglycerin tablets (for cardiac-related pain); basic instructions on the use of the drugs; latex gloves.

Federal Aviation Administration

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.