Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 8000
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
During preflight the First Officer brought to my attention a ramp worker lying on the ground alongside his tractor approximately 50 FT from the cockpit. A group of baggage handlers who were working our flight had begun to gather. I went to the ramp to see if I could assist. The ramp worker was unconscious; and did not appear to be breathing. I ran back to our airplane and requested the AED. The Purser told me that the flight attendants needed to remain on board because we were in the process of boarding. A first class passenger informed me she was an EMT and could assist. The Purser then told me that a passenger was not allowed on the ramp either. I ran the AED down to the ramp hoping one of the ramp workers might be qualified. None of the ramp workers knew how to use the AED so I ran back to the airplane; told the flight attendants I was responsible for any violations of FAR's and directed a Flight Attendant to assist the ramp worker. I returned to the airplane to coordinate and to request a replacement AED for our airplane. From the cockpit window I could see the Flight Attendant had the pads on the ramp worker but may need some additional help. I returned to the ramp; I observed the ramp workers chest moving but he was still unconscious. The Flight Attendant requested a bottle of oxygen; and a medical kit. The other ramp workers said they had a medical kit and quickly returned with a secondary medical kit; the style we used to carry in the Airbus cockpit. I ran back to the airplane and returned with oxygen. The Flight Attendant informed me the ramp workers breathing was shallow and recommended we utilize our First Class EMT passenger. I returned to the airplane and escorted the EMT to the ramp. Once on scene; the Flight Attendant briefed the EMT and the EMT took charge of the ramp workers care until the FD paramedics arrived. Once the FD arrived; our First Class passenger EMT briefed them and I escorted her back the airplane. In making my decision; I reasoned the best course of action was to provide life saving care to the ramp worker at the expense of being one flight attendant short on the airplane. The First Officer remained on board and we also had a jump seat pilot from another carrier. Additionally it was not that many years ago we boarded airplanes (through flights) with only one Flight Attendant. I decided to use our flight attendant initially because I knew she was trained and familiar with the AED that was going to be used.
Airbus Captain is informed by his First Officer of a ramp worker down next to the tug with other workers gathering around. The Captain uses his authority to get a Flight Attendant to the ramp with an AED then an EMT trained passenger.