CAPT OPENS MEDICAL KIT WITHOUT DOCTOR PERMISSION IN EMER SIT.

Narrative

UPON LEVEL OFF OVER PDX ON A FLT FROM SEA TO LAX; THE LEAD FLT ATTENDANT INFORMED ME THAT WE HAD A BABY ON BOARD THAT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BREATHING. AN R.N. AND THIRD YR MEDICAL STUDENT WERE CHKING OUT THE CHILD AND REQUESTED A STETHOSCOPE. I OPENED THE EMER MEDICAL KIT TO GIVE THEM THE STETHOSCOPE; EVEN THOUGH OUR FLT OPS MANUAL DICTATES THAT THE KIT MAY ONLY BE USED WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF AN M.D. OR D.O. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES; I FELT THAT IT WAS URGENT TO DETERMINE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROB SO THAT AN IMMEDIATE DIVERSION COULD BE MADE IF NECESSARY. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES; GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE COMPANY AND GETTING A PATCH THROUGH TO THE MAYO CLINIC FOR A DOCTOR'S AUTHORIZATION TO OPEN THE MEDICAL KIT DID NOT MAKE SENSE. I BELIEVE THAT OUR PROCS SHOULD BE CHANGED TO PERMIT OPENING THE EMER MEDICAL KIT TO USE THE STETHOSCOPE WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S AUTHORIZATION. THE ABILITY TO DO SO COULD AID IN DETERMINING THE NEED FOR A LNDG SHORT OF DEST OR; AS IN OUR SIT; COULD PREVENT MAKING A NEEDLESS DIVERSION.