Dvt

Originally posted by Jeanske_SN
And so this dvt can occur in the air???

yes, its been given the nickname “economy Class Syndrome” as most of the fol who have suffered it were flying long haul in economy class.

It happens when a person remains still, and I mean as good as rigid, for extended periods of time.

Simply moving your legs about can prevent it.

DVT can occur in air, but also after your flight. DVT is caused by not moving your muscles for a long time.

Those long 13+ hours flights are prime candidates of course, but if you sit at your desk at work for over 8 hours without moving an particular group of musles the same problem could happen. Or working on a production line where people continuously do the same thing. Those people are really screwed. They can get both DVT and RSI! 😮

Now DVT is well known by many people it has given a very good excuse to go to the coffee machine every 15 minutes! If your boss complains you just threaten to write an angry letter to the health and safety authorities. 😀

And so this dvt can occur in the air???

Sitting here in my “computer chair” I realise I don’t have my anti-DVT socks on:eek:
An evening session probably equates to a flight to New York!

Caused by being idle I.E in a seat for a long period like on a long haul flight which is why people are taking airlines to court. If the court decides (which I dont think it will) that the blame is on the airlines this could be a huge setback once again for the industry.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Or the condition where bloodclots can form in your veins. These clots can move and if they get to the lungs or heart can prove fatal

Sorry, but what disease are we talking about here? The mentioned disease is chinese for me

Originally posted by wannabe pilot
No I don’t think the airlines should be held responsible, but I don’t think it’s as simple as that Sandy. My dad suffers with a disease called Lupus, which makes his blood thicker than it should be. However, he takes a drug called Warfarin which thins his blood, and so should make him less likely to get DVT than any other passenger on a plane. Yet, every long-haul flight we’ve been on in the past couple of years he has come home with a blood clot, twice nearly fatal and once made him very ill in hospital. I don’t know how you could explain him getting these clots, but I really don’t think it’s as simple as ‘rotating your foot’.

Actually, just making fists with your feet every now and then can help. The muscle movement stimulates blood flow.

I’ve seen a neat little device for sale, its basically an airtight bag with two chambers, you inflate it to about half full, place it under your feet and pump up and down. From left to right. Simple and effective.

Long haul in economy can perhaps increase risks of developing DVT, but how else are you going to get where your going?

Airlines should not be held accountable for DVT as it is unavoidable.

Ha, worth a try I supose.

The British Airways “Well Being In The Air” programme advises passengers to do simply but effective excersises during their (mainly) long haul flight. There are details of these exercises in the inflight magazine “Highlife” and the IFE.

The BA seat pitch in economy is not the best, normally 32″ – 33″
which can be quite tight for long periods. It’s always a good idea to get up and walk around to keep the circulation going, if the seat belts are not on of course!

I’m in two minds about responsibilities. If the airlines increase the seat pitch on long haul aircraft, the fares increase with it. American Airlines recently increased their economy pitch by an inch I believe, is there any data available to say if this has increased thier economy bookings?

At the end of the day I think it’s all down to cost. If airline A are offering seats to XYZ at 400.00 with a seat pitch of 34″ and airline B are 50.00 cheaper but with less leg room, most will go for airline B then moan about afterwards!!!! That’s human nature I guess.

I’ve had passengers tell me they’d suffered from DVT on previuos flights so I should upgrade them to Traveller Plus or Club World so they should have more space……………nice try for a free upgrade! Anybody with any kind of condition that can be agrivated by being confined for a long period of time should make the airline aware before they travel, I’m sure the vast majority do. Some though, just try it on.

That opens up a whole new debate about free upgrades!!!!!!!

Purser

No I don’t think the airlines should be held responsible, but I don’t think it’s as simple as that Sandy. My dad suffers with a disease called Lupus, which makes his blood thicker than it should be. However, he takes a drug called Warfarin which thins his blood, and so should make him less likely to get DVT than any other passenger on a plane. Yet, every long-haul flight we’ve been on in the past couple of years he has come home with a blood clot, twice nearly fatal and once made him very ill in hospital. I don’t know how you could explain him getting these clots, but I really don’t think it’s as simple as ‘rotating your foot’.

Are ailrines menant to provide a bottle of water on all long haul flights to help reduce this

Re: Dvt

Originally posted by brenmcc1
Whats your opinion on deep vain thrombosis? Should the airlines be held liable and pay out for the people who have died due to it?

No.

It is a proven fact, something as simple as rotating your foot on your ankle with help prevent this condition.

If your stupid enough to sit rigid for extended periods of time then thats your own fault