The tectonic plate boundary between Eurasia and Africa is complex, in that it cannot be characterized as a single discrete plate boundary Deformation near this plate boundary varies from trans‐tensional in the Azores archipelago, through strike‐slip in the eastern Atlantic basin, to overall compressional between the European and African continents, with extensional sub‐domains in the Mediterranean Sea. This complex pattern of deformation, related plate motion, and underlying driving forces leads to strong variations in seismic hazard throughout the region. A better understanding of the plate boundary processes requires knowing crust and upper mantle structure in the region, which is best investigated with three‐component, broadband seismic data. To investigate the region's three‐dimensional crust and upper mantle structure, we are carrying out a multiinstitutional project (MIDSEA) involving seismologists from 10 countries on the northern, southern, and western sides of the plate boundary.

Survival-to-hospital from IFCAs is best when an RSR is present. The percentage of RSR cases was lower than in other out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) settings, which suggests delayed discovery. Flight diversions did not significantly affect resuscitation outcome. We emphasize good quality cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation as key factors for IFCA survival. Alves PM, DeJohn CA, Ricaurte EM, Mills WD. Prognostic factors for outcomes of in-flight sudden cardiac arrest on commercial airlines. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(10):862-868.

Although cardiac arrest during airline flights is relatively uncommon, the unusual setting, limited resources, and the variability of the skills in medical volunteers present unique challenges. Survival in patients who suffer a witnessed arrest with a shockable rhythm who are treated promptly has improved since the advent of widely available automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In general, the chances of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are greater when ventricular fibrillation (VF) is seen as the initial rhythm or if there is return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Not all in-flight cardiac arrests are witnessed because cabin crew or fellow passengers might simply assume that the victim is sleeping. Based upon a review of the literature on resuscitation after OHCA, we recommend that automatic external defibrillators be carried on all commercial airline flights, regardless of duration. Patients presenting with shockable rhythm (e.g., VF, unstable ventricular tachycardia) have the best prognosis for survival and usually require diversion of the aircraft for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Because diversion may require interruption of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and may impact flight safety, the volunteer rescuer, cabin crew, flight crew, and medical consultation services should discuss the possible outcome and operational considerations before recommending a diversion for a patient with a nonshockable rhythm. The recommendations in this article were developed by members of the Air Transport Medicine and Aerospace Human Performance Committees and approved by the Council of the Aerospace Medical Association.Ruskin KJ, Ricaurte EM, Alves PM. Medical guidelines for airline travel: management of in-flight cardiac arrest. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(8):754-759.

Pediatric in-flight fatalities are rare, but death occurs most commonly in infants and in subjects with a preexisting medical condition. The number of fatalities involving seemingly previously healthy children under the age of 2 years (lap infants) is intriguing and could indicate a vulnerable population at increased risk of death related to in-flight environmental factors, sleeping arrangements, or yet another unrecognized factor.

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