B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Attendant Current
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Other / Unknown; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Aircraft; Company Policy; Procedure; Manuals; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Human Factors
Inflight there was a medical emergency which required the use of emergency equipment as well as the ICK [Infection Control Kit] and SHARPs [Secure Public Needle Disposal System] kit. [Flight Attendant] Crew were unable to locate the necessary equipment in a timely fashion. Two FAs checked the [flight attendant manual] and noted that the ICK and SHARPS kit are located in the 1L 'Preflight Area'. No exact location is provided in the [manual]. The two crew looked all over the 'preflight area'; but were unable to locate the equipment which; we ultimately discovered; is stored at the top of the old video closet toward the back and not in view. Also; this area has no placards to indicate the equipment is stored there. We ended up wasting time during this medical emergency; and also felt and appeared completely inept to those passengers who witnessed us looking for the equipment. Both crew were senior; safety conscious and extremely frustrated in their inability to locate the necessary equipment. We did ask the FAs who were seated/working in that area (who presumably had done their 'general safety check); but they were unable to provide us the location of the ICK and SHARPS kits. The information in the manual needs to be more specific; and not vague as in 'preflight area.' The former manual provided more specific information and allowed FAs to locate equipment easily [and] quickly. All equipment locations need to be placarded since the information in the manual is so vague. There also needs to be more emphasis on completing thorough safety checks using the FAOM. It's too easy to miss checking equipment if it isn't placarded; and crew aren't using their [flight attendant manual preflight checklists).
The flight attendant reporter advised the confusion is; in part; the result of the merger of two airlines and the replacement of one group's SOPs and on board placarding with that of the other carrier.  As a result the preflight inspection is much less specific and the use of placards to identify the location of emergency equipment within cabinets; bins; etc. has been abandoned or severely curtailed.  In addition the merged carrier failed to adopt the practice of one of the two that required flight attendants to preflight emergency and service equipment utilizing aircraft specific checklists in the flight attendant manuals; specifying only that the preflight area be given a 'general safety check.'
When faced with an on board medical emergency the flight attendants aboard a B777 found themselves unable to locate required equipment in a timely fashion; specifically the ICK and SHARPs kits for cleanup of human waste and disposal of sharp objects.  Insufficient/inadequate placarding of storage locations and non-aircraft type specific guidelines for preflight of emergency equipment were cited as contributing factors.  The use of the less comprehensive procedures and placarding of one of two merged carriers was also cited as a source of confusion.