FAA frees airlines from med kit checklists for smarter emergencies
Published Date: 8/5/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
FAA proposes to eliminate the prescriptive list of required items in emergency medical kits and first aid kits and replace it with a performance-based requirement to ensure contents are practical and sufficient to allow crewmembers to address the most common medical emergencies that occur onboard commercial aircraft. FAA seeks to increase flexibility for operators while maintaining predictability for operators to equip their onboard medical kits. This rule would also remove an outdated reference to certain emergency medical kits modified on April 12, 2004. This action is necessary to address requirements in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
EMK must cover nine life‑threatening conditions
The FAA proposes that each Emergency Medical Kit (EMK) include sufficient resources to detect and treat, at a minimum, nine specified life‑threatening conditions: cardiac events (e.g., aspirin), airway/breathing emergencies (e.g., inhaled short‑acting bronchodilator), seizures (antiepileptic), major bleeding (commercial windlass tourniquet), opioid overdose (naloxone), hypoglycemia (dextrose IV), severe gastrointestinal dehydration (isotonic crystalloid IV and antiemetics), anaphylaxis (epinephrine), and childbirth (delivery kit).
Replace item list with performance rule
Air carriers operating under 14 CFR part 121 would no longer be required to carry the current prescriptive list of items in Appendix A. Instead, operators must meet a new performance-based requirement in proposed Sec. 121.807 that ensures kit contents are practical and sufficient to treat common onboard medical emergencies.
Fewer exemptions, fewer grounded planes
The proposed performance‑based approach aims to eliminate the frequent need for operators to petition FAA exemptions when specific medications are unavailable. Because a missing required EMK item currently makes an aircraft a 'GO/NO‑GO' item, the rule intends to reduce aircraft removals from service during medication shortages and lower exemption‑processing resources for operators and FAA.
FAK counts stay; medications not required in FAK
The proposed rule keeps the current requirement for the number of First Aid Kits (FAK) per aircraft—1 FAK for 0–50 seats, 2 FAK for 51–150 seats, 3 FAK for 151–250 seats, and 4 FAK for more than 250 seats—but allows operators flexibility to design FAK contents and declines to require medications in FAKs (FAA encourages medications be included in EMKs instead).
No new crewmember training mandates
FAA proposes no changes to existing crewmember training rules. Crewmembers would continue to receive instruction to be familiar with the location, function, and contents of onboard medical equipment per Sec. 121.805, and FAA will not add new mandatory medical training requirements.
UPKs remain voluntary, guidance provided
FAA will not require Universal Precaution Kits (UPK) on aircraft. Instead, FAA encourages operators to maintain UPKs and will provide guidance in the revised Advisory Circular (AC 121-33C) on how an operator might design a UPK if they choose to stock one.
AED rules retained; outdated dates removed
FAA proposes to retain existing Automated External Defibrillator (AED) requirements but relocate them from Appendix A into Sec. 121.803(c)(3) and remove outdated references to kits modified on April 12, 2004 and to AED power sources dating to April 30, 2005.
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