Flying Health Program for Flight Attendants
Pre-flight
Go through our pre-flight check list below.
Factors that may increase your risk
of developing blood clots
- Long haul flights > 3 hours flying time, inflight immobility and sitting cross legged for long periods
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30, higher risk)
- Recent hospitalization for illness, chronic illness e.g. low cardiac output, respiratory, renal, UC or diabetes
- Recent major surgery (pelvic, orthopaedic, joint replacements)
- Pregnancy or recent delivery (3 months postpartum)
- Oestrogen drugs, e.g. contraception (oral pill, patch & ring) and oestrogen hormone therapy
- Smoking
- Ageing (≥ 50 years, higher risk)
- Cancer and cancer treatments
- Mobility issues. Wheelchair or bed ridden (paralysis, bed rest)
- Dehydration
- Varicose veins
- History of blood clots
- Lower cardiac output
Things you can do
Order your T.E.D.™ compression stockings, to your door, before you fly
Clinically proven to reduce DVT and increase blood flow velocity. Reduces foot and ankle swelling. Our online calculator helps you select your ideal size, which is important for functionality.
Order natural Fruit Flow®
Is the first ingredient to be granted an EC Article 13.5 health claim; natural blood thinner supplement, proven to help maintain normal platelet aggregation which contributes to healthy blood flow and helps prevent blood clots.
Pre-flight exercise
Exercise for at least 30 minutes the day of your flight and/or the day before your flight (walking, swimming, running, gym work).
Hydrate well prior to flying
Average fluid intake is 1.5-3L/day. If possible, refrain from taking dehydration products such as drinking alcohol, caffeinated and sugary drinks.
Wear loose clothing, loosefitting shoes
and do not place bags beneath legs as this further limits your space
High risk individuals
May require anticoagulation, blood thinners (heparin, oral, anticoagulants). See your doctor.
Pre-flight exercise
Exercise for at least 30 minutes the day of your flight and/or the day before your flight (walking, swimming, running, gym work).
Hydrate well prior to flying
Average fluid intake is 1.5-3L/day. If possible, refrain from taking dehydration products such as drinking alcohol, caffeinated and sugary drinks.
Wear loose clothing, loosefitting shoes
and do not place bags beneath legs as this further limits your space
High risk individuals
May require anticoagulation, blood thinners (heparin, oral, anticoagulants). See your doctor.
In-flight
Put your T.E.D.™ stockings on before take off
Adequate Hydration
Drink at least 125mL, every hour whilst flying.
Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine & Sedatives
Refrain from drinking alcohol, caffeinated, sugary drinks and sedatives during your flight.
Galley Workout
We have created a series of videos for flight attendants. You can do these exercises in the galley. Remember to move as much as possible.
Heel raises
Calf stretch
March on Spot
Lumbar Extension
Lumbar Flexion
Hamstring Stretch
Quad Stretch
Pec Stretch
Squats
Repeat 5-10 times
Special thanks to Airlink for using their aircraft for filming.
Post-flight
Remove your T.E.D.™ stockings after landing
Early movement
Helps blood circulation after flying
Look out and be aware
for possible symptoms & signs blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and or pulmonary embolism (PE) after your flight.
The risk of developing a blood clots is greatest in the first 2 weeks after your long-haul flight, but remains elevated for up to 8 weeks. The risk increases with longer flight durations and with multiple flights over a short period of time.
DVT signs and symptoms
DVT Signs and Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness with no history of injury of the affected limb.
- Swelling.
- Skin warm to touch.
- Discolouration of the skin: Redness or discolouration or blue colouration of the skin
DVT may be clinically silent in up to 50% of cases. Unfortunately, clinical features are very variable and clinical diagnosis is notoriously unreliable.
Any suspicion, seek medical attention immediately!
PE signs and symptoms
PE Signs and Symptoms
- Shortness of breath.
- Low grade temperature.
- Coughing, coughing up bloody mucous.
- Chest pain made worse by deep breathing
- Heart rate can be increased and or irregular.
Any suspicion, seek medical attention immediately, PE can be life threatening!
Look out and be aware
for possible symptoms & signs blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and or pulmonary embolism (PE) after your flight.
The risk of developing a blood clots is greatest in the first 2 weeks after your long-haul flight, but remains elevated for up to 8 weeks. The risk increases with longer flight durations and with multiple flights over a short period of time.
DVT signs and symptoms
DVT Signs and Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness with no history of injury of the affected limb.
- Swelling.
- Skin warm to touch.
- Discolouration of the skin: Redness or discolouration or blue colouration of the skin
DVT may be clinically silent in up to 50% of cases. Unfortunately, clinical features are very variable and clinical diagnosis is notoriously unreliable.
Any suspicion, seek medical attention immediately!
PE signs and symptoms
PE Signs and Symptoms
- Shortness of breath.
- Low grade temperature.
- Coughing, coughing up bloody mucous.
- Chest pain made worse by deep breathing
- Heart rate can be increased and or irregular.
Any suspicion, seek medical attention immediately, PE can be life threatening!
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