All About the JAL Group - Safety Operations

Medical Education and Training
Cabin crew receive 16 hours of medical education as part of their induction training. They study basic aeronautical medicine, health and hygiene, and techniques to deal with a number of conditions that can occur onboard, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) protocols. Following the completion of their induction training, cabin crew also receive approximately 2.5 hours of first-aid training every year to maintain their knowledge and skills.

Onboard Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment
Doctor’s Kit. All JAL Group aircraft with over 60 seats carry a doctor’s kit. This is the set of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment carried onboard to be administered by a physician. The company annually reviews the types and amount of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in this kit.

AED. JAL began carrying AEDs on its aircraft in October 2001, the first instance of such equipment being deployed in locations other than hospitals in Japan. The function of AEDs is to restore normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest.

Resuscitation Kit. This contains an Ambu bag, endotracheal tubes, a laryngoscope, sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. All JAL Group international and domestic aircraft carry this kit.

Medicine Kit. Included are nonprescription drugs, such as those for gastrointestinal complaints and colds, as well as adhesive plasters.

Ground Medical Support
JAL maintains a ground-based support system known as telemedicine, whereby a JAL doctor on 24-hour call uses a satellite telephone to communicate medical instructions to the crew in cases where there is no physician onboard.