Postgraduate Diploma in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (air operations, medical equipment on board), Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 (Part MED, medical fitness) and Laerdal LLEAP. Personal tutor assigned and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the physiological effects of the flight environment on passengers.
Interpret regulations on medical equipment and training on board.
Assess the ill passenger with limited resources in the cabin.
Apply life support protocols for cardiorespiratory emergencies.
Manage other common in-flight medical emergencies.
Justify the diversion decision with telemedicine support.
Design training programmes and improvement plans for in-flight medical services.
Who it's for
- Aviation physician wishing to specialise in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols.
- Cabin crew instructor wishing to specialise in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols.
- Airline medical services manager wishing to specialise in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols.
- Air transport nurse wishing to specialise in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols.
- Aviation telemedicine coordinator wishing to specialise in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols.
- Cabin safety manager wishing to specialise in In-Flight Medical Emergency Protocols.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter airlines.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (air operations, medical equipment on board)
- Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 (Part MED, medical fitness)
- ICAO Annex 6 (operation of aircraft)
- IATA Medical Manual
- European Resuscitation Council Guidelines (ERC 2021)
- American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Standard atmosphere and cabin barometric pressure1.2Hypobaric hypoxia and the haemoglobin dissociation curve1.3Cabin altitude and pressurisation in commercial aviation1.4Dysbarism and expansion of trapped gases1.5Humidity, dehydration and venous thrombosis on long-haul flights1.6Accelerations, vibration and motion sickness1.7Circadian rhythms and jet lag1.8Passengers with pre-existing conditions: fitness to fly1.9MEDIF criteria and passenger medical documentation1.10Case study: calculating expected saturation in a COPD patient at 8.000 ft
2.1First aid requirements under EASA Air Ops2.2Cabin crew training under Part-CC2.3Mandatory contents of the first aid kit and emergency medical kit2.4Automated external defibrillators on board2.5Responsibilities of the captain and the volunteer doctor2.6IATA guidance on in-flight medical emergencies2.7Aeromedical telemedicine and ground assistance services2.8Recording and reporting of medical events2.9Legal aspects of the Good Samaritan in flight2.10Workshop: auditing the medical equipment of an A320
3.1Primary ABCDE assessment in confined spaces3.2Vital signs using on-board equipment3.3Pulse oximetry and its limitations at altitude3.4Communication with the passenger and companions3.5Rapid neurological assessment: AVPU and FAST scales3.6SAMPLE medical history in the aviation environment3.7Positioning the patient in the aisle or seat row3.8Coordination between crew and volunteer healthcare professional3.9Structured data handover using ISBAR3.10Practical: simulated assessment of a syncope in the cabin
4.1Cardiac arrest and CPR in seats and aisles4.2Use of the AED on board and the ERC algorithm4.3Acute coronary syndrome: initial management4.4Asthma attack and bronchospasm4.5Anaphylaxis and use of auto-injectable adrenaline4.6Oxygen therapy with portable on-board cylinders4.7Hyperventilation and anxiety attacks4.8Pulmonary embolism on long-haul flights4.9Diversion criteria for cardiorespiratory causes4.10Laboratory: CPR scenario with an AED in a cabin simulator
5.1Vasovagal syncope and presyncope5.2Seizures and post-seizure care5.3Stroke: recognition and time to action5.4Hypoglycaemia in diabetic passengers5.5Obstetric emergencies and childbirth on board5.6Paediatric emergencies in flight5.7Poisoning and alcohol reactions5.8Injuries caused by severe turbulence5.9Suspected infectious disease and isolation5.10Case study: unexpected childbirth on a transatlantic flight
6.1Operational diversion factors: fuel and aerodromes6.2Medical capabilities of alternate airports6.3Communication between the flight deck and the ground medical centre6.4MedLink protocols and equivalent services6.5Cost and risk of diverting versus continuing6.6Landing preparation and handover to emergency services6.7Event documentation and chain of custody6.8In-flight death: procedure and legal aspects6.9Fleet-wide analysis of medical event data6.10Case study: diversion decision with suspected stroke
7.1Curriculum design for cabin crew7.2High-fidelity clinical simulation using cabin mock-ups7.3Competency assessment and recertification7.4Human factors and CRM in medical emergencies7.5Quality indicators for on-board care7.6Case review and learning after incidents7.7Managing crew stress after the event7.8Evidence-based improvement of the medical kit contents7.9Protocols for business aviation and helicopters7.10Workshop: designing a simulation scenario for crew
8.1Definition of the operation and fleet type8.2Medical risk analysis of the route8.3Design of response algorithms by condition8.4Specification of medical equipment8.5Integration with telemedicine and the control centre8.6Crew training and simulation plan8.7Indicators and event recording system8.8Validation of the protocol with a simulated case8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Laerdal LLEAP, in-flight telemedicine platforms, REDCap, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Trials are studied using real clinical simulation procedures in a cabin mock-up, AED and on-board medical kit training, and analysis of real cases of diversion for medical reasons. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the physiological effects of the flight environment on passengers.
Interpret regulations on medical equipment and training on board.
Assess the ill passenger with limited resources in the cabin.
Apply life support protocols for cardiorespiratory emergencies.
Manage other common in-flight medical emergencies.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You work with Laerdal LLEAP, in-flight telemedicine platforms, REDCap, advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.
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