Air Canada Further Enhances Medical Support on Board its Flights

Air Canada announced today two major initiatives that will further enhance the well-being, security and peace-of-mind of its customers and crews on board its aircraft. The two initiatives include air-to-ground medical support as well as automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

``The introduction of these new services reflects Air Canada's overall and ongoing commitment to providing our customers and crews with the safest and most secure air travel experience possible,'' said Ted D'Arcy, Vice President, In-Flight Service at a media demonstration of the new services in Toronto today.

Air Canada has joined forces with MedAire, a company which specializes in medical preparedness services and equipment for the aviation industry. MedAire's emergency telemedicine service, called MedLink, now allows Air Canada's in-flight crews to consult directly with a certified emergency physician at any time during any flight, anywhere in the world.

In an emergency in-flight situation, Air Canada crews will be able to quickly contact a MedLink physician who will assess the medical situation and recommend a plan of care. The physician will decide if the situation warrants opening and using the onboard medical kit, liaise with any medical personnel who may be aboard the flight and determine the best course of action for the customer. Canadian Airlines will also call on this new medical service in the near future.

In addition, Air Canada signed an agreement with Medtronic Physio-Control to equip all of its aircraft with automated external defibrillators beginning in fall 2000. Training of Air Canada staff will also begin in the fall.

Training sessions will include CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and instruction in air-to-ground medical assistance communication, as a complement to the existing and ongoing safety training. At the same time, Canadian Airlines will progressively equip its fleet with AEDs. Along with the installation of the defibrillators, the two airlines will also complement their onboard medical kits with cardiac monitors.

``The Heart and Stroke Foundation applauds Air Canada for adopting a high quality in-flight medical emergency system to ensure their passengers have the best possible chance of surviving should they suffer a cardiac event or arrest,'' said Marc Gay, Chair, Emergency Cardiac Care Committee of the Heartand Stroke Foundation of Canada during a simultaneous media demonstration of the new services in Montréal. ``Safe and easy to use, AEDs can increase the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by 30 % or more.''

To launch these two important projects, Air Canada and Canadian Airlines are initially investing more than $1.5 million in equipment, training and installation costs.