SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Manage in-flight medical emergencies 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119083  Manage in-flight medical emergencies 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Aerospace Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  11 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Apply the principles of First Aid in an in-flight medical emergency situation
  • Demonstrate in-flight medical emergency scene management
  • Assess, move and position casualties on board an aeroplane
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principles of Aviation Medicine

    This unit standard contains competencies that will equip learners with the appropriate knowledge and skills for handling in-flight emergencies that may occur on board aeroplanes in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational procedures.

    These competencies furthermore provide the building blocks that will lead learners towards the achievement of the Flight Attendant Licence as required by the South African Civil Aviation Authority thereby contributing towards the full development and functionality of learners within an aviation support operations environment.

    Learners will be able to render appropriate First Aid assistance to aeroplane occupants in the event of medical incidents or accidents that might occur in-flight thereby ensuring that the well-being and safety of affected persons is sustained until such time as the aeroplane has landed and they can be placed into the care of qualified ambulance and medical personnel. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this unit standard:

    The provision of First Aid assistance to passengers during in-flight emergency situations is carried out in accordance with:
  • Parts 121 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations
  • SA-CATS-FCL 64

    Assessment of the learner's ability to manage an in-flight emergency situation is demonstrated with a simulated casualty

    Assessment of the learner's ability to render First Aid during in-flight emergency situations will be conducted in a simulated environment. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the principles of first aid in an in-flight medical emergency situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The objectives of First Aid required to effectively handle an in-flight medical emergency situation are identified and described in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Objectives of First Aid include but are not limited to:
  • Preserving life, preventing the condition from worsening and promoting recovery.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The responsibilities of cabin crew members when rendering First Aid to passengers on-board the aeroplane are discussed in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Responsibilities of cabin crew members when rendering First Aid to passengers on board the aeroplane include but are not limited to:
  • Hazards to self and passengers are identified, the cause of the passenger's condition is assessed and established, appropriate First Aid Care is provided, pilot-in-command is informed of the passenger's condition.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    First Aid equipment and materials carried on board the aeroplane are identified and the conditions for use are described in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    First Aid Equipment and Materials carried on board the aeroplane include but are not limited to:
  • Surgical gloves, supplemental oxygen cylinder and face mask, first aid materials, First Aid Kit, Doctor's Bag and improvised materials carried on the aeroplane.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Procedures for the disposal of body fluids and contaminated First Aid materials on board the aeroplane are identified and described in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Procedures for the disposal of body fluids and contaminated First Aid materials include but are not limited to:
  • Body fluids are bagged and labelled.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate in-flight medical emergency scene management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Emergency scene management on board the aeroplane is discussed in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergency scene management includes but is not limited to:
  • The "Priority Action Approach" and the three possible sources of help in an in-flight emergency situation, notification of in-flight emergency to authorities.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Administration requirements following an in-flight emergency are carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Administrative requirements following an in-flight emergency include but are not limited to:
  • Report forms for medical kit and First Aid kit are completed and details of doctor in attendance or anyone providing assistance are recorded.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The way in which the aeroplane environment impacts on an in-flight emergency situation is identified and described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The impact of the aeroplane environment on an in-flight emergency situation includes but is not limited to:
  • Aeroplane configuration and number of cabin crew members on board, turbulence, distance to ground life-support system and cabin altitude.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Management of an in-flight emergency situation is demonstrated in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    In-flight emergency situation management includes but is not limited to:
  • Priority Action Approach techniques are applied on a conscious and unconscious casualty.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess, move and position casualties. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Examination and assessment of a casualty includes but is not limited to:
    Primary and secondary examination of a conscious and unconscious casualty 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Casualty is examined and assessed in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Examination and assessment of casualty includes but is not limited to:
  • Passenger history is established, vital signs and symptoms are identified, a medical alert device is used to assist in the assessment of the passenger's condition, if this is available.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Casualty is moved and positioned in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Moving and positioning casualty includes but is not limited to:
  • Casualty is moved to preferred location for administering First Aid on aeroplane, blankets and pillows are used to move and position casualty.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The specific conditions under which a casualty is not to be moved are identified and the reasons for not doing so are discussed in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Specific conditions under which a casualty is not to be moved include but are not limited to:
  • Head and spinal injuries, space limitations on the aeroplane, apparent death.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the principles of aviation medicine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The most common physiological effects of flight in pressurised and non-pressurised aeroplanes are identified and described in accordance with regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Common physiological effects of flight in pressurised and non-pressurised aeroplane include but are not limited to:
  • The physiology of respiration and circulation and the body's requirement for oxygen, the potential for flight crew member incapacitation due to lack of oxygen, the most common physiological effects of altitude and the pressurised cabin, including dehydration, effects of trapped gasses and water retention, ways to minimise physiological effects of altitude.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of altitude are identified and the impact of altitude on flight and personal safety is discussed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The effects of altitude on flight and personal safety includes but is not limited to:
  • Decompression sickness, physiological effects of pressure changes on body gases, "safe times" between scuba diving and flight, hazards associated with hypoxia and ways of minimising the effects of hypoxia, the effects of altitude on night vision.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The role of flight crew members in providing assistance during emergency childbirth on board the aeroplane is discussed in the context of regulatory requirements and operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Providing assistance during emergency childbirth on board the aeroplane includes but is not limited to:
  • Care of the placenta and umbilical cord following delivery.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The procedures for handling death on board the aeroplane are described in accordance with regulatory requirements and operator directives. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Procedures for handling death on board the aeroplane includes but is not limited to:
  • Authorities are notified and the deceased's possessions and documentation are secured.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The impact of self-medication and related side-effects on the ability of flight crew members to fulfil their duties on board the aeroplane is discussed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Self-medication and its impact on flight crew member capacity includes but is not limited to:
  • The impact of medication on normal physiological and neuro-physiological reaction and functioning, the medico-legal implications of medication in the context of aircraft accidents and incidents.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA in accordance with the current ETQA regulations
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA
  • Other ETQA's who have a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA would be responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Principles of First Aid in an in-flight medical emergency situation
  • In-flight medical emergency scene management
  • Casualty assessment, movement and positioning
  • Principles of Aviation Medicine
  • Procedures for rendering First Aid in an emergency childbirth
  • Procedures for handling death on board the aeroplane
  • The dangers of self-medication and side effects 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Learners can identify and solve problems by:
  • Identifying hazards to self and other passengers and taking the appropriate precautions to minimise these when proceeding to render First Aid to a casualty
  • Taking the aeroplane configuration and prevailing conditions into account in order to determine the safest way to move and position a casualty 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Learners can work effectively in teams by:
  • Seeking assistance from passengers who might be qualified to assist with an accident or incident to ensure the safety and survivability of a casualty on board the aeroplane
  • Offering comfort and assistance to bereaved passengers in accordance with operator's directives 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self organisation and management is demonstrated by:
  • Exercising care when assessing a passenger in order to establish as accurately as possible, the cause or problem of a passenger's condition
  • Checking to see if the passenger is wearing a medic-alert disc before proceeding with the assessment of a passenger's condition
  • Adhering to guidelines pertaining to self-medication by flight crew members 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners can collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when:
  • Recognising vital signs that can assist in determining the condition of a passenger during assessment
  • Recording relevant information on administrative documentation in regard to in-flight medical emergencies 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners can communicate effectively by:
  • Communicating with the pilot-in-command at regular intervals to ensure relevant information updates on a passenger's condition are received 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners can use science and technology:
  • Correct use and application of First Aid equipment and material when rendering First aid
  • Bagging and labelling body fluids and disposing of contaminated First Aid materials
  • Caring for the placenta and umbilical cord following delivery 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners can understand:
  • The importance of securing the documentation and possessions of a person who has died on board the aeroplane
  • The importance of flight crew members in ensuring the appropriate care is provided to passengers who have suffered a setback on board the aeroplane until such time as they can be handed over to qualified medical personnel 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information:

    Specified requirements
    Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • South African Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards pertaining to flight crew
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act
  • Immigration Act
  • Customs and Excise Act
  • International Civil Aviation Organisation - Annexures as pertaining to flight crew
  • Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act
  • Health Act 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  18943   National Certificate: Tourism: Cabin Crew  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-01-10  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  58023   National Diploma: Aircraft Piloting  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. SKYY Aviation Academy 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.