Who determines medical care during a medical emergency on board?

• A. The flight attendant in charge
• B. A medical professional determines that
• C. The captain after consulting medical control
• D. The passenger who called for help

Answer: (B)

During an in-flight medical emergency, the person with medical training on board is responsible for deciding what care to provide. Their expertise lets them assess symptoms, weight risks, and choose appropriate interventions. The flight crew’s role is to support that care—calling for help, preparing equipment, and coordinating with ground medical control as needed—so they can implement the plan set by the medical professional. The captain’s duty is to manage flight safety and operations, not to determine medical treatment, and the passenger who called for help can provide information but cannot decide how to treat someone. If no medical professional is aboard, the crew relies on ground-based medical control for instruction, but the decision still comes from a medical expert. That’s why the choice stating that a medical professional determines the care is the best fit.