Thanx for your info so far. Things are pretty much as I suspected.
My reason for interest is I m currently working as a paramedic, (with 12 years experience), on the ambulances and as a single responder at/near LGW and regularly attend sick pax and was recently asked by another member of staff what happens to a body on board, (I also have a commercial pilots licence - but for helicopters), the question being provoked by an incident which is not appropiate to discuss here.
I appreciate the theory of not stopping CPR until relieved by medical personnel but this isn't always pratical. As someone said try doing CPR for 3 hours - 10 or 15 minutes in the back of an ambulance or hospital is extremely tiring for staff who are well practised in the technique and indeed in an a&e deptartment the person doing chest compressions is changed every few minutes for that reason. It is generally accepted during CPR teaching that you continue until relieved or you are physically unable to continue.
I know some airline have varying degrees of comunication with firms like Medlink, (I believe Virgin were trialling ecg and video downlinks?) and wondered whether a doctor would use this info to terminate resuscitation remotely.
Reading the posts it seem that there is no standard procedure and a lot of the decision is left to the crew at the time...
Perhaps it's worth a thought now on what you would do? I m pleased to see that several people mentioned their concerns for the pax and/or relatives feelings. Too many 'professions' in the medical trade forget that these people are somebodys' wife, husband, child or parent.... treat them as you would want your family treated and you won't go far wrong.
[ 15 October 2001: Message edited by: pilotwolf ]