An improved comprehensive medical kit for passenger aircraft.

For the past 20 years, El Al has been carrying drugs and equipment for use by physicians on board the aircraft for medical emergencies. In addition, first aid equipment including a resuscitator (respirator)--to be used by the trained cabin attendants--and over-the-counter medications in a Hostess Purse are also carried. We have recently adopted a standard medical kit (MK) which contains primarily drugs considered essential to emergency cardiac care. However, its contents were extended, based on our experience in the airline and the recommendations of the Air Transport Medicine Committee of the Aerospace Medical Association. This would enable a competent physician on board to reasonably manage most medical emergencies until landing at the scheduled destination or at the nearest safe airport where better diagnostic means and treatment may be available. Equipment and drugs are designed to handle most acute allergic, cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, nervous, and psychiatric emergencies. Also included in the MK is a table of the drugs, their trade name, generic name, action, indications, contraindications, administration, and dosage. A check-off list of the drugs and equipment used by the physician, as well as space for provisional diagnosis and disposition, is provided.