>>>Any comments Billy Vann??<br><br>I'm no lawyer or an expert on legal issues in medicine. I'm just an IT kind of guy! :-)<br><br>But I do remember from Youth Protection Training that certain occupations are bound by law to act in situations where others are not required to act. Specifically, if a teacher suspects a student is a victim of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual or neglect), he or she is bound by law to notify the authorities. Whereas I am not legally bound to report suspected abuse, although the Boy Scout Youth Protection training recommended us that we are morally obligated. <br><br>I would guess that similar laws apply to physicians in a medical emergency. I also would guess that such laws are within the jurisdiction of the states and would therefore vary slightly from state to state as the plane crosses each border.<br><br>I am sure that if an emergency presented itself that a physician on board would take immediate action. And that some sharp implement could be found or improvised. (what about the contents of the on-board first aid kit? Are there any razor knives included in them?)<br><br>But I would be very leary about an average citizen performing such an operation. Having been trained to perform the technique is not quite the same as actgually cutting into a person's neck. I'd also be worried about the person's ability to make a correct diagnosis. Again, lack of experience could work against your descision making process. <br><br>Lastly, what if you were wrong and that was not the real problem. Or what if it was and you botched the technique. Or even if you did everytrhing right and the victim dies anyway. "Under the Table" training would not likely be a viable defense. It's not like CPR training where you can be certified. Plus CPR is non-invasive and is not likely to be a cause of death, but a misguided incision could casue death.<br><br>Fortunately, as Chris points out, it is something that's not a frequent occurance. Many folks today, but not all, are aware of their allergies and have medicines to address a sudden attack. You may be more inclined to borrow someone's abuterol inhaler to stop the symptoms. Although administering unprescribed medicine is risky too. But in a life and death situation there may not be many options. As far as I know, abuterol is not the type of medice that folks react adversely to, such as an allergy. But I'm not even sure on that account.