Abstract
So surgeons are looking to the airline industry now for guidance on safety. 1 What a pity they don't glance over the screen at the top of the operating table to the anaesthetist. We have been doing ‘Cockpit Drills’ for 30 years or more. The parallels between the processes of flying and anaesthesia are closer than with surgery.
Over the years I have observed that anaesthetists in general spend far more time than the surgeon in undertaking pre-assessment, both of the patient and of the work environment. How long have I waited in theatre for the X-rays or a favoured surgical tool to be found, which a little forethought would have made available when needed.
Learn about preparation by all means but don't bother to go to the hangar, ask on the other side of the screen.
Footnotes