Service Terminology
Initial Term Description
Amenities A galley container which may contain coasters, napkins, plastic bags, etc
CST Cabin Service
Trainer
The CST is a replica of the interior of an aircraft cabin in which learners have the opportunity to practice in a realistic environment
Catering The department which supplies service items (e.g. meals, beverages and toys)
Containers Metal or plastic boxes loaded into the aircraft galleys for the stowage of items e.g. bottles, melamine, cups, saucers, amenities etc.
Dry Stores A galley container filled with tea, coffee, biscuits, sugar etc.
Hot Cups An electrical jug to heat water
Hollowware A galley container filled with tea pots, coffee pots etc.
In-flight Service The distribution of amenities and refreshments to passengers during a flight Melamine Dishes used on board the aircraft in the Economy cabin
Skywards Emirates frequent flyer programme
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Term Description
Allergic reaction The body’s abnormal reaction to a substance such as food or pollen, the skin may become red, rash, lips may swell and face may swell
Amputation Complete or partial removal of a part of the body Anatomy Refers to the structures of the body
Anaphylactic Reaction/
Allergic Shock It is a severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body, resulting in a drop in blood pressure and difficulty in breathing. It can be gradual or sudden in onset and potentially fatal.
Angina Chest pain of a crushing nature, experienced when narrowed coronary arteries are unable to meet the demands of physical exertion, stress or excitement. This is particularly so as a result of mild hypoxia associated with cabin altitude
Antipyretic A medication that reduces fever Appendicitis Inflammation of the appendix
Appendix A short, closed tube attached to the large intestine
Artificial ventilation Movement of air into and out of the lungs by artificial means, commonly known in first response, as mouth to mouth
Assessment
Before taking any action to deal with a medical emergency, cabin crew should be able to gather information regarding the casualty’s condition through these methods:
To check for consciousness: To ask for history:
Asthma A condition in which the air passages of the lungs go into spasm and constrict, due to irritation and allergic reactions, making breathing difficult (especially breathing out causing wheezing sound)
Artificial ventilation Movement of air into and out of the lungs by artificial means, commonly known in first response, as mouth to mouth
Bandage A material used to hold a dressing over bleeding wounds, burns or fractures. It can also be used to support and elevate an injured limb
Barotrauma Injury of a part or organ as a result of changes in the barometric pressure. E.g. injury to the ear due to increased cabin pressure
Basic life support (BLS) Maintenance of the airway, breathing and circulation
Breastbone Flat bone (also called sternum) which forms middle of chest and helps separate and support the ribs
Bruise An injury that does not break the skin but causes damage to the small underlying blood vessels (capillaries) which leads to an internal bleed and causes discoloration beneath the skin
Burns Damage to the skin caused by extremes of temperature – hot or cold; chemicals; corrosive substances; electricity; friction and radiation. It is classified as superficial, partial thickness and full thickness
Cardiac Arrest It refers to an unresponsive casualty who has no breathing and no signs of circulation.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
It is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest which is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions. Provides oxygen and pumps the blood around the body.
Carotid artery The main artery supplying blood to the head. The carotid pulse can be felt in the neck.
Casualty A person, alive or dead, who has suffered an accident or sudden illness.
Childbirth
The process of delivering a baby. It has 3 stages:
1st stage – full dilation of cervix, mother’s body is preparing to give birth 2nd stage – delivery of the baby
3rd stage – delivery of the placenta (after birth)
Choking A partial or total obstruction of the airway caused by a foreign object, e.g. food, peanuts, a small toy, etc.
Clammy An unpleasant sticky, moist damp feeling on the skin Clonic Uncontrolled, rapid body movements
Collapsed To suddenly fall down due to illness/injury
Coma Complete unconsciousness when all reflexes are absent
Compression To apply pressure
Term Description
Conscious Awake, alert, responsive (physically and verbally).
Contaminated A term used in reference to a wound or other surface that has been infected with bacteria; may also refer to polluted water, food or drugs.
Coronary arteries The vessels which delivers oxygenated blood to the muscles of the heart
Defibrillator A machine which delivers an electric shock to the heart. It is used for Cardiac arrest Dehydration Excessive loss of water, sugar and salt from the body.
Diabetes Lack or inability of the body to use insulin effectively. Insulin regulates blood sugar. It may result to Hypoglycaemia or Hyperglycaemia.
Dilation The process of expanding or enlarging Disabled Lacking one or more physical abilities
Dislocation Injury in which bones at a joint are pushed out of normal contact with each other.
Dislodge Remove from a previously fixed position Disorder An illness or medical condition.
Drowsy Heavy with sleepiness.
Epipen An auto-injector which contains epinephrine – a hormone that reverses the effects of Anaphylactic Reaction.
Euphoria An exaggerated feeling of well being.
Eustachian tube A tube that connects the ear to the back of the throat. This tube is used to ‘equalise’ pressure by swallowing or popping.
Exhalation The act of breathing out
Extremity A limb: arms, legs, fingers or toes.
Fainting A brief reversible loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Fatigue Physical or mental exhaustion due to exertion
Febrile Having an elevated body temperature, feverish. Temperature greater than 37C.
Fits & Seizures It is a simultaneous involuntary contraction of many of the body’s muscles, caused by a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain.
Food poisoning A sudden illness, usually vomiting and diarrhoea caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria.
Fracture A break or crack in a bone.
Gestation The period that the mother carries the baby in the uterus until childbirth occurs Heart The hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood around the body.
Hereditary Inherited/passed down from ancestry i.e. Parents grand parents.
Hiccups A spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in of air resulting in a characteristic sharp sound.
Hives Red or white raised patches on the skin, often associated with severe itching; a characteristic reaction in allergic responses.
Hypoxia Low oxygen content in the blood, tissues and body cells.
Inhaler (puffer) A device to deliver a regulated dose of asthma medication e.g. Ventolin
Medical Equipment
Used to aid in the diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of medical conditions. Emirates aircrafts carry medical kits/equipment which includes: First Aid Kit (FAK), First Aid Pouch (FAP), Emergency Medical Kit (EMK), Supplementary EMK, Tempus IC, Universal Precaution Kit, oxygen bottles and resuscitation kit.
Medlink It is an Emergency Medical Advise Centre based in the USA, involving medical doctors on ground that operate on a 24-hour basis to assist cabin crew when dealing with a medical situation on board.
Medical Shock Failure of the circulatory system (heart, blood and blood vessels) to supply an adequate amount of blood and oxygen to the organs/tissue.
Nausea An unpleasant sensation felt usually before vomiting.
Navel The ‘belly-button’, point of connection where the umbilical cord was attached.
Nostril Either of the two openings at the end of the nose.
Pale To have a ‘whitish appearance/colour, usually because of illness, shock or fear 43
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Term Description
Panadol Panadol is an analgesic for mild pain; also used as an antipyretic.
Generic Name: Acetaminophen
Brand Name: Datril, Tylenol, Panadol, Phenaphen, Tempra and Anacin III
Peptic ulcer An ulcer or a sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, usually caused by a bacteria.
Pollen A substance produced by the anthers of shed bearing plants consisting of numerous fine grains containing the male fertilising cells.
Profuse A lot, excessive.
Resuscitation The act of reviving an unconscious or apparently ‘dead’ casualty.
Scald A burn caused by hot liquid or steam.
Semi-conscious Slightly disorientated state of partial consciousness.
Slurred Word pronounced or spoken un clearly.
Spasm Sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, or group of muscles
Spinal cord Bundle of nerve tissue extending from base of brain to lower back; surrounded and protected by the spine.
Sterile Free from living organisms, such as bacteria Sting Sharp pain caused by a bite of an insect
Stroke A condition resulting from a bleed or blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain, often involving partial paralysis and loss of speech.
Swelling An enlargement of a part of the body as result of injury or infection.
Tenderness Pain felt when touched
Tingling Feeling a prickling or stinging sensation of the flesh, as from cold or excitement Tremor Shaking or quivering movements of the body especially hands.
Unconscious Without response; an abnormal state in which the body’s control mechanisms are impaired or lost. Casualty appears as if they are in a deep sleep.
Umbilical cord A flexible structure/cord connecting the foetus/baby to the placenta
Vaccine A suspension of dead or weakened micro-organisms for inoculation to produce immunity to a disease
Vagina The lower part of the female reproductive tract extending from the cervix to the vulva: the birth canal
Vein Any blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the tissues to the heart then from the heart to the lungs.
Ventricular fibrillation A chaotic irregular heart rhythm which is the main cause of cardiac arrest.
Wheeze A high-pitched, whistling sound while breathing out characteristic of an obstruction or spasm of the airway. Usually associated with asthma.
The above glossary is based on definitions from a variety of Medical literature sources, though many words have been further simplified for the purpose of ease of understanding particularly for those students for whom English is not the Mother tongue.
Literature that was used as reference is listed below:
Australian First Aid manual (St John Ambulance) 2000 Airline Medical Manual (Chapman et al) – 1991 Medical Dictionary (Merriam Webster) – 1995 Human Body (Diamond Books) – 1994
The Rescue 911 Family First Aid & Emergency Care Book (Pocket Books) – 1996 Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (Ross and Wilson) – 1996
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/