So I recently took a group of cadets up flying at an AEF as you do.
Whilst the brief was going on I of course did the responsible bit and informed the OC that one of the cadets needed to carry an Epi Pen on him for his dust allergy, thinking this would not be a problem.
I was then informed he was not permitted to fly as he wasn’t allowed to have self administered drugs with him. The pilot wouldn’t be able to administer it if required as he had to concentrate on flying the aircraft, I can’t argue with that.
Considering the cadet had already been permitted to go flying in Vigilant’s I was a tad miffed to say the least.
When questioned on how this applied to asthmatics I was met with a blank stare and the answer of “I don’t know”.
So several questions I have which have gone unanswered…
Can cadets fly with an Epi Pen?
Can cadets fly with an inhaler?
If cadets can fly with an inhaler but not an Epi Pen why? They are both self administered drugs, I am no doctor I admit!
Where is this information located as a reference?
What other medical conditions are cadets not permitted to fly with?
Are the rules for VGS flying and AEF flying different?
Needless to say I had a very disappointed cadet not to mention a lost flying slot another cadet could have filled.
I get aviation first-aid training every year with my company: the training structure includes epi-pens & inhalers. Epi-pens are generally required to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction - which can easily cause the person to lapse into unconsciousness quickly.
The guidance given on the training is that worst case, the person with the condition would not be able to self-administer = would require someone else to do this = probably not a good idea to have them flying as a cadet. A severe asthmatic attack can also lead to unconsciousness in a very short period of time. Whilst AEF flights don´t reach the stratosphere, any decrease in oxygen level could be bad for an asthma sufferer - there is about 10% less oxygen content 3000 ft above sea level.
Bader link - I found this one relating to AEF + medical conditions:
I would suspect that he slipped through the net with regard to the Vigilant? It´s still a form of AEF.
If you look at ACTO32 (for the GIC), epi pen is mentioned as requiring medical opinion:
I would check on the severity of the condition(s) & see if it is worth following the guidance to push the question up the chain (as per the ACTOs). However, the quote from ACTO 31 would probably be the key limitation.
[quote=“MikeJenvey” post=13528]…and asthma is specifically mentioned:
[/quote]
an interesting quote, particularly as i am an asthmatic, i was never questioned when i went AEF, GIC or even GS flying and recently gained a PPL…
given the increasing number of asthmatics in the world, which in turn would put the numbers at Sqn up i wouldnt be surprised if there are astham sufferers flying on a weekly basis not being picked up…
Well AP1269 is somewhat more detailed than the ACTO and there is a grading of symptoms to level of clearance so it depends really on where you are on the scale.
Asthma
Unstable severe asthma - Unfit
On regular prophylaxis, or Acute attack not requiring oral steroids or hospitalisation within past year, or
Acute attack requiring oral steroids or hospitalisation within past 5 years - Fit Ghosted Solo Gliding+ AEF
All others with a past history - Fit Solo Gliding + AEF
Epilepsy
Last seizure within past 2 years - Unfit
Last seizure > 2yrs ago (on or off treatment) - Fit Ghosted Solo Gliding + AEF
Solitary seizure (with normal neurological follow-up incl EEG) >10 years ago, and febrile convulsions under 5 years of age - Fit Solo Gliding + AEF
[quote=“tingger” post=13550]Well AP1269 is somewhat more detailed than the ACTO [/quote]What does it say about anaphylaxis/epi-pens?
Administering (or helping to administer) an epipen does not take a huge amount of skill or concentration. Flying a light aircraft during many phases of flight does not take a huge amount of concentration. I would hope that it would not be a complete show-stopper.
The trouble with anaphylaxis is that even after administering the pen, unconsciousness could still result.
All well & good in a classroom training environment, find pen, unwrap it, remove the safety devices, inject into compliant “victim.”
Even with feet firmly on the ground, a real case of anaphylaxis is a significant first aid incident to cope with - worse if the person in difficulty cannot breath properly (very, very likely), vomits or chokes.
In the air, the pilot would have to find the pen, carry out all the correct actions & then probably have to cope with a cadet who is panicking severely (or even convulsing) & carry out first aid. The pilot would also have to cope with an “emergency” return to the AEF location or possible diversion to any nearer military commercial airport - it can get busy.
The medical guidance is to treat for potential Life-threatening Airway and/or Breathing and/or Circulation problems - not easy with one pilot. The timings are crucial for onset of exposure to the specific trigger to potential cardiac arrest. For example, the Resuscitation Council (UK) suggest that food triggers cause respiratory arrest typically after 30–35 minutes.
Professionally, anaphylaxis is always my big fear - whenever any passenger notifies me of an allergy or that they are carrying an epi-pen. The best one - “My daughter is very allergic to nuts, she has 3 epi-pens.” OK I reply - where are they please, just in case? Ah, in the suitcases somewhere…
Asthma - even on the ground, attacks can be fatal (& quickly) - the first one was from “my” Wg:
[quote=“incubus” post=13555][quote=“tingger” post=13550]Well AP1269 is somewhat more detailed than the ACTO [/quote]What does it say about anaphylaxis/epi-pens?
Administering (or helping to administer) an epipen does not take a huge amount of skill or concentration. Flying a light aircraft during many phases of flight does not take a huge amount of concentration. I would hope that it would not be a complete show-stopper.[/quote]
It also isn’t a burden that should be placed on an AEF pilot. The Tutor cockpit is confined enough too, without risking (even if it is small) the pax being unconcious.
[quote=“incubus” post=13555][quote=“tingger” post=13550]Well AP1269 is somewhat more detailed than the ACTO [/quote]What does it say about anaphylaxis/epi-pens?
Administering (or helping to administer) an epipen does not take a huge amount of skill or concentration. Flying a light aircraft during many phases of flight does not take a huge amount of concentration. I would hope that it would not be a complete show-stopper.[/quote]
You shouldn’t be administering an epipen unless you’ve received training to do so apparently, accoprding to our first aid course I was on today. I doubt many pilots will have this training, and even then as I’m sure you know it only buys you time, doesn’t reverse the effects.
