MedAire, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, will partner with United Airlines to conduct training worldwide for United’s estimated 25,500 flight attendants – the largest mass audience ever to be trained on automated external defibrillator (AED) and CPR procedures.

The innovative training program is being implemented in concert with United Airlines’ commitment to equip all of its aircraft with Hewlett Packard Heartstream portable Automated External Defibrillators– devices that can reverse the deadly irregular heartbeats associated with a sudden cardiac arrest.

"Both United and its flight attendants felt it was important that our training go well beyond just learning how to push the buttons of an AED," said Vanessa Jamison, Manager of Emergency Procedures and Training, United Airlines. "It’s important that they feel confident and competent in both recognizing potential medical situations as well as managing them."

"United is definitely going the extra mile to give its flight attendants the knowledge and skills they need to manage in-flight incidents that might involve AEDs," said MedAire’s president, Ms. Joan Sullivan Garrett. "Flight attendants will be receiving a full day of training to ensure that they not only understand what to do, but that they have enough meaningful practice-time to reinforce their newly learned skills on how to do it.

"An extra value that we bring to the flight attendants is that our training is designed specifically for the aviation environment," Ms. Garrett said.

"While the end result may be the same, there’s just a whole world of difference between the process of managing sudden cardiac arrest at 30,000 feet versus managing sudden cardiac arrest on the ground," Ms. Garrett said. "MedAire’s extensive experience with in-flight medical situations enables us to fully appreciate and translate to lay-people, the differences brought about due to altitude, available resources, processes and the overall nature of the environment."

Training will include first responder first aid, adult CPR and instruction in AED operation. The program is expected to begin later this year.

UNITED BACKGROUND – United is the world’s largest airline serving 102 domestic and 37 international destinations. United’s five U.S. hubs – Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington Dulles – are strategically positioned across the United States, providing easy access to United’s global network. As a member of Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth, United passengers enjoy access to more than 600 destinations around the world, 180 airport lounges, and the ability to accrue and redeem miles on any partner airline.