SAS Scandanavian Airlines is helping cabin crews use their existing medical emergency training to learn how to “best how to take care of patients to relieve the hard-working heroes in healthcare.”
The airline said one flight crew underwent training at Sophiahemmet hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. Another crew in Norway is also gearing up to help out.
In the United Kingdom, some flight attendants for EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic have volunteered to help out at the new National Health Service (NHS) hospitals being set up specifically for coronavirus patients.
“Cabin crew are in a good position to help because of the first aid training we receive for our job along with the security checks we undergo. So I am sure I will be joined by many of my fellow crew at EasyJet and I am glad we are able to help,” one EasyJet cabin crew member said.
Singapore Airlines which suspended 96% of their flights until May 2020 asked their flight attendants to assist in hospitals during this period as well.
Some 300 of Singapore Airline cabin crew applied to become “Care Ambassadors” that will assist patients in various ways such as food catering, shower, general admin between patients to doctor when needed.
They will also be trained in safety and infection control measures and will be required to wear a mask, just as nurses and doctors must, although they will have no direct contact with Covid-19 patients.
