GM1 MED.C.025 Content of aero-medical assessments

ED Decision 2019/002/R

(a) When conducting aero-medical examinations and assessments, typical cabin crew duties as listed in (b) and (c), particularly those to be performed during abnormal operations and emergency situations, and cabin crew responsibilities to the travelling public should be considered in order to identify:

(1) any physical and/or mental conditions that could be detrimental to the performance of the duties required from cabin crew; and

(2) which examination(s), test(s) or investigation(s) should be undergone to complete an appropriate aero-medical assessment.

(b) Main cabin crew duties and responsibilities during day-to-day normal operations

(1) During pre/post-flight ground operations with/without passengers on board:

(i) monitoring of situation inside the aircraft cabin and awareness of conditions outside the aircraft including observation of visible aircraft surfaces and information to flight crew of any surface contamination such as ice or snow;

(ii) assistance to special categories of passengers (SCPs) such as infants and children (accompanied or unaccompanied), persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, medical cases with or without medical escort, and inadmissible persons, deportees and passengers in custody;

(iii) observation of passengers (any suspicious behaviour, passengers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, mentally disturbed), observation of potential able-bodied persons, crowd control during boarding and disembarkation;

(iv) safe stowage of cabin luggage, safety demonstrations and cabin secured checks, management of passengers and ground services during re-fuelling, observation of use of portable electronic devices;

(v) preparedness to carry out safety and emergency duties at any time, and security alertness.

(2) During flight:

(i) operation and monitoring of aircraft systems, surveillance of the cabin, lavatories, galleys, crew areas and flight crew compartment;

(ii) coordination with flight crew on situation in the cabin and turbulence events/effects;

(iii) management and observation of passengers (consumption of alcohol, behaviour, potential medical issues), observation of use of portable electronic devices;

(iv) safety and security awareness and preparedness to carry out safety and emergency duties at any time, and cabin secured checks prior to landing.

(c) Main cabin crew duties and responsibilities during abnormal and emergency operations

(1) In case of planned or unplanned emergency evacuation: briefing and/or commands to passengers including SCPs and selection and briefing to able-bodied persons; crowd control monitoring and evacuation conduct including in the absence of command from the flight crew; post-evacuation duties including assistance, first aid and management of survivors and survival in particular environments; activation of applicable communication means towards search and rescue services.

(2) In case of decompression: checking of crew members, passengers, cabin, lavatories, galleys, crew rest areas and flight crew compartment, and administering oxygen to crew members and passengers as necessary.

(3) In case of pilot incapacitation: secure pilot in his/her seat or remove from flight crew compartment; administer first aid and assist operating pilot as required.

(4) In case of fire or smoke: identify source/cause/type of fire/smoke to perform the necessary required actions; coordinate with other cabin crew members and flight crew; select appropriate extinguisher/agent and fight the fire using portable breathing equipment (PBE), gloves, and protective clothing as required; management of necessary passengers’ movement if possible; instructions to passengers to prevent smoke inhalation/suffocation; give first aid as necessary; monitor the affected area until landing; preparation for possible emergency landing.

(5) In case of first aid and medical emergencies: assistance to crew members and/or passengers; correct assessment and correct use of therapeutic oxygen, defibrillator, first-aid kits/emergency medical kit contents as required; management of events, of incapacitated person(s) and of other passengers; coordination and effective communication with other crew members, in particular when medical advice is transmitted by frequency to flight crew or by a telecommunication connection.

(6) In case of disruptive passenger behaviour: passenger management as appropriate including use of restraint technique as considered required.

(7) In case of security threats (bomb threat on ground or in-flight and/or hijack): control of cabin areas and passengers’ management as required by the type of threat, management of suspicious device, protection of flight crew compartment door.

(8) In case of handling of dangerous goods: observing safety procedures when handling the affected device, in particular when handling chemical substances that are leaking; protection and management of self and passengers and effective coordination and communication with other crew members.