B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 541
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft
We were enroute when we were notified that a Passenger passed out. While coordinating with Dispatch; through ACARS; the Captain and I were determining whether diverting was necessary. Unfortunately; because the Captain was communicating with Dispatch on ACARS; and we were in an aircraft that only allows one person on ACARS at a time; I was unable to get the data I needed (weather at suitable divert bases) in a timely manner. By the time I was able to access ACARS; we passed [the diversion airport]. Both the Captain and I needed access to ACARS at the same time for very different reasons. We were able to continue on to [the destination] without incident. However; not having ACARS on both sides is a Safety of Flight issue. In a worst case scenario; we do not have the equipment necessary to accomplish our duties.
B737 First Officer reported being unable to obtain information for a diversion due to not having an ACARS unit for each pilot.