Article by Chris Clifford Anne Roberts from Aiber discusses a remote medical technology solution for passengers and crew support onboard In an era where new technology seems to permeate every facet of our lives, it’s encouraging to note the advancements in mobile solutions for mitigating safety risk onboard aircraft and maritime vessels. As the number of passengers taking to the air and the sea continues to rise, onboard medical incidents is one topic which is a ongoing concern. One groundbreaking company from the United Kingdom has boldly stepped forward, dedicating their efforts to addressing this critical need by pioneering innovative solutions designed to assist crew during the stressful moments of managing ill-health onboard. Originating as a spin out company from the University of Aberdeen, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, involving years of extensive Research & Development, Aiber has successfully brought to the market an onboard first response system that ‘hand holds’ crew and provides real time incident updates to professional onshore medical providers. This cutting edge technology, provides a unique and unparalleled solution for the holistic management of medical emergencies. To ensure its suitability for remote environments such as at altitude for aviation use, Aiber underwent rigorous in-flight trials with Boeing Executive Flight Operations in the US, through the support of the Boeing Xcelerated programme, finessing and optimising the solution for end users. These achievements demonstrate the company’s unwavering commitment to the field of remote medical support. Anne Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, describes Aiber as carry onboard equipment applicable to many remote environments – including maritime. “All our end users have the SAME problem. They may only have basic first aid training and are tasked to support an unwell passenger until professional medical care can be reached.” Questions regarding stability, casualty improvement / deterioration, and specific medical conditions like heart problems or previous history of stroke can arise, creating stress and uncertainty. Now Aiber have produced this future proof solution to ensure the right informed decisions are made between captain, crew and remote medical providers. Aiber’s solution also contains a range of vital signs equipment including pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and a Bluetooth-enabled 12-lead ECG patch. If a crew member encounters difficulty in recalling a particular first aid technique, Aiber has the ability to align with the crew’s existing first aid training, providing prompts such as CPR steps whilst simultaneously gathering crucial updates on the casualty’s condition. This not only reduces stress but enables remote doctors to review the vital information that could help to save a life. Additionally, the software helps by facilitating two-way communication, allowing the crew to remain by the casualty’s side while effectively getting professional medical assistance. This comprehensive approach significantly enhances the casualty experience and brings comfort to both the crew and the passenger alike. As well as providing real time incident updates, Aiber automatically records any actions, observations and treatment onboard, providing a report of each emergency. This helps handover to paramedics, reduces the risk of inaccurate communication being shared and provides useful material for crew debriefing / refresher training. The Aiber team has grown from strength-to-strength, doubled its workforce since 2022 and is further rolling out its solution in the maritime, commercial airline and private jet sectors.
Managing ill-health onboard
For more details email getintouch@aiber.co.uk or visit www.aiber.co.uk
