CASA Has Some Good Ideas

Although we GA fliers are pretty conscientious about our first-aid kits, it is never a bad idea to see what others are doing. While we don't carry lots and lots of PAX, we might be able to learn a little something from those who do, and see if there's information to be gleaned from the airlines.

Australia's CASA has floated a draft AC, directed at airlines, that could be of interest to operators of "scaled-down" aircraft, as well. It is separated into two sections -- "first aid" and "crash."

Let commonsense prevail -- you'll have to make the ultimate decision about that defibrilator [not on CASA's list], those stretchers, and those backboards -- but maybe you've never considered a neck brace, even when you fly those mountain passes...

If you're one of those checklist-driven people, you might even consider using a beefed-up first-aid kit for both your airplane and car, checking it in and out for each flight.

In the meantime, have a good look at your own first aid kit, and get rid of the out-of-date antiseptics, the no-longer-sticky band-aids, the squished tube of burn ointment, and the rusty scissors. When you need that kit is a really bad time to start having to sort out the good from the bad!

...and, having a look at what others are thinking sure can't hurt.

FMI: CASA first-aid kit AC