Failure to Quickly Find AED on WestJet Flight Raises Questions About Crew Preparedness
Concerns are being raised about flight crew readiness after an elderly man died on a WestJet flight from Hawaii to Calgary. The incident occurred overnight on March 7, 2018, when the flight left Honolulu and was scheduled to land in Calgary the following morning. Midway through the trip, a medical emergency unfolded that highlighted the critical importance of rapid response during cardiac arrest.
This incident was first reported by CBC News. You can read the full original story here:
➡️ Failure to quickly find defibrillator for man who died on WestJet plane raises queries about crew preparedness
Nurse Responds as Passenger Found in Distress
During the flight, attendants could be heard asking if there was a doctor or nurse on board.
A woman identified herself as a nurse and was brought to a passenger in his 80s, seated near the front of the aircraft. The man appeared to be in significant medical distress, prompting the nurse to request help moving him to the floor so she could properly assess and assist him.
AED Could Not Be Found for Nearly 10 Minutes
When the nurse called for an AED (automated external defibrillator), crew members began searching through overhead bins to locate it. Witnesses say it took approximately 10 minutes before the device was found — a delay that has raised serious questions about emergency preparedness.
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According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, CPR and defibrillation delivered within the first few minutes can double the survival rate of cardiac arrest. Every minute without shock reduces survival by 7–10%.
CPR Performed for More Than 30 Minutes
CBC News learned that CPR was performed on the man for over 30 minutes before it was determined that he had died. His body was lifted back into a seat and secured for the remainder of the flight.
Upon arrival at Calgary International Airport at 6:30 a.m., Calgary EMS confirmed that paramedics met the aircraft and officially pronounced the elderly passenger deceased.
WestJet Says Crew Followed Procedures
In a statement, WestJet confirmed that the crew used the AED and performed CPR with assistance from the nurse. When asked about the 10-minute delay in locating the defibrillator, the airline said it was “comfortable with the way the situation was handled.”
WestJet also stated that all aircraft are equipped with:
A medical emergency kit
An AED
A MEDAire satellite phone for direct access to emergency physicians
These tools exceed regulatory requirements, but the situation still highlights how challenging in-flight medical emergencies can be.
Transport Canada confirmed that such medical incidents do not need to be formally reported.
Why This Story Matters
This tragedy is a powerful reminder that medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and quick access to CPR and an AED greatly increases survival outcomes. Training empowers ordinary people to act with confidence during a cardiac emergency — whether in a public space or mid-air.
Learn CPR. Save a Life.
Emergencies happen without warning — but preparedness saves lives.
Enroll in a CPR/AED course and learn how to respond when every second counts:
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