You want drama, we got even more drama! Even I can’t believe this one…
Per Sunday’s post, I flew to The South yesterday. The plane sat on the ground about an hour then we were finally airborne. About 40 minutes in, the flight attendants were serving snacks and drinks. They were just about at my seat when a passenger came running up the aisle. He frantically spoke to the flight attendants.
“You better come quickly, I think a man is having a heart attack!”
The flight attendant closest to me ran down the aisle. She was back in 30 seconds.
“Code Red! Get the defibrillator!”
Everything started to happen very fast. The cart was put away, emergency equipment raced down the aisle, and an announcement made.
“We have a medical emergency, is there a doctor on board?”
Luckily there were two of them.
The plane got very quiet. People were all looking around to see what was happening. The sick passenger was laid down in the aisle. After about 5 minutes, I knew something was very wrong.
I said to my seatmate, “I bet you anything we’re going to land.”
“Ladies and gentleman, this is the Captain. Due to a medical emergency we’re going to be landing at Washington, Dulles. Please stay in your seats for the remainder of the flight.”
I’ve flown a lot, but have never been in this situation. I had read about these things happening though so I had an idea of what was going on.
The control tower must have cleared the airspace because we were on the ground very quickly. In fact, it was the fastest landing I’ve ever experienced! We landed, the paramedics rushed aboard, and the man was taken off the plane.
We sat on the ground for an hour as they refueled, replaced the emergency equipment and did whatever paperwork was needed. I called my Mother and she couldn’t believe it. Me either.
The plane finally took off again. As we got ready to land in our original destination, the flight attendant made an announcement.
“As you know we had a medical emergency. Everyone was so wonderful and we really appreciate it. We especially want to thank Doctor one and Doctor two for their help. They saved that man. And to all the passengers that helped lift the man into the aisle, and anyone else I might have missed, THANK YOU.”
The plane burst into applause.
Never a dull moment, indeed.
Wow, I need to start traveling with you.
Action follows wherever you go.
I’m glad that had a happy ending! I’m applauding too
Bravissimi.
Must have been a surreal experience for you, m’dear. When a similar drama happened on our flight to Denver (complete with hysterical wife of nearly-dead passenger), all I could think was, “This is surreal. I feel like I’m in a movie.”
So glad all worked out well in your case (it did in ours as well). Guess it holds out hope that our fellow passengers will take good care of us in an emergency. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.
Wow! I hope the guy’s OK. Wow!!
Well that would certainly be a wild experience, I’ve flown quite a few times and never had that one happen to me. I just hope the person is ok!
By the way, aren’t Doctor 1 and Doctor 2 characters from Dr. Seuss? Or was that Thing 1 and Thing 2? LOL
Whew… craziness!!! I too, hope he’s okay. And I agree w/ Trouble. It’s nice to get affirmation of human decency every now and then.
Wow, what a crazy thing to have happen. That guy is lucky there were 2 docs aboard, but I wonder if they had any medical equip to use?
HOpe your next flight is less exciting.
Wow, you’ve been living life as if it was right out of a movie! I’m also glad your friend John had a good friend in you. In times like those it is when you find out who your real ones are.
At least you didn’t go to Cuba.
On the other hand, Michael Moore says medical care is better there.
Remember things tend to happen in 3’s! Wonder what your next drama might be?
Woah! Glad to hear that the other passenger made it. But now I’ve just read Sharon’s comment and I can’t help but thinking that she’s right.
That’s the kind of excitement we can do without! The guy was really lucky to have doctors around, and emergency equipment. I was reading this story and hoping he would make it to the end!
I didn’t even expect a post from you let alone one of this nature. Can’t say I’ve talked to anybody this has happened to before. Enjoy the rest of your trip, Lisa.
Now that’s just lovely!
thank goodness there were doctors on board
Whew! I wonder about this when I fly sometimes. So glad that there were two competent docs on board to save this man.
But am I the only one who also flashed back on Leslie Nielsen’s hilarious but incompetent doc in “Airplane”?
Guess so
what’s great that the guy lived…. he owes all of you guys a beer or something for having to deal with delay though.
You always hear of this happening to people, I guess it’s inevitable that it one day happens to you. Amazing that you guys landed in time for this man to get to the hospital OK. Never hurts to have a doctor on board – that’s why I want to marry one
!!!
Didn’t this happen in one of the Airplane movies? Maybe Airplane 3?
having a heart attack has gotta suck substancially. having a heart attack on a plane has to be the worst thing ever. wow! high drama in the skies. enjoy life below the mason dixon.
Wow… that guy was so lucky! Glad that he’s okay!!
Damn, remind me not to travel with you. I prefer a more quiet flight.
i sit shamed.
all i could think of was airplane
great site…hope you don’t mind if i link you. the biz is all about nepotism.
Wow! How serendipitous that people named Dr. One and Dr. Two be on board!
Actually the passengers were great. Everyone stepped up and did everything they could to help. It was quite something. Everyone that is except my seatmate who screamed at the key flight attendant when they ran out of sandwiches on the second flight. Whatever.
As for all you “Airplane” fans? I did think about that for one (evil) second as well
Wow. I’m flying tonight…I hope I don’t have a similar experience. But it’s good to know that the airlines are more than competent in a situation like that!
You forgot to tell me whether they opened the bar for free drinks. I always want to know the important stuff.
Hellow there! Sorry I have been MIA lately. I have been meaning to stop by ( ihave only read your entry 5 times) I just havent had the time. NEXT time…I am going to fly with you. My flights are always boring. The most action I get is the kid next to me throwing up on his mom and the only clean suit that I took with me (which I happen to be wearing).
Sounds exciting!!!! Whew I thought you were going to tell me the man died and was put in first class (like they did on British airways recently!)
And then the plane disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle … never to be heard from again.
But that wouldn’t explain how you were able to post this story–so I guess you’ll have to wait until your next flight.
– david
That’s pretty harrowing. I wonder if he was travelling alone. I hope the rest of your trip is drama-free.
How have I missed your blog all this time? Yay! A new read!
I never know what to do in those situations except for freak out silently or stare out the window and act as if I’m just not there (And then go home and write about it of course). Hope the rest of the trip is OK. Then again, you’re headed south, so I feel like there are always stories to tell about life way below the Mason-Dixon line.
Lisa: You made me smile about one thing here. A friend of mine (who passed away) once told me he’d make a million dollars just tagging along with me with a video camera! Hope the weekend treats you well!!!!!
At least it was an eventful flight and gives you something to write about!
Wow… heavy shit! At least you weren’t bored.
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Holy shit! In my years at Delta, we never had to make an unscheduled landing for a sick passenger, but I did take care of one most of the way to LA and then accompany to the hospital where they removed his appendix. Amazing story.
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