I was returning to the States on flight 413 from Punta Cana to Ft. Lauderdale on February 12th, when a man on our flight began passing out and complaining of having vertigo and being overheated just after boarding.
As our plane began to taxi on the runway, the Southwest Airlines crew quickly sprung into action to ensure this elderly gentleman’s situation would stabilize and that he would safely arrive at his destination.
They immediately took measures to cool him and the rest of the aircraft by giving the passengers ice water and providing the gentleman an ice pack to ease the effects of the heat.
As we held on the ground to ensure his safety, the crew then brought all of the passengers together in a brilliant display of teamwork.
Informing other passengers that there was a medical situation, they requested that we open the vents and close the shades to help cool the cabin, as well as inquiring if there was any medical staff of the aircraft.
Fortunately, there were several nurses and a pharmacist aboard the aircraft who checked his vitals and medications.
The nurse found his blood pressure to be high and advised the man that he shouldn’t fly and asked if he was experiencing chest pain.
The gentleman was determined to fly home and was very adamant to try to ignore the advice being given by the medical professionals and the Southwest Airlines crew.
He refused oxygen, and denied any chest pain, while his wife continually told the crew and nurses he had vertigo and nothing else….
The Southwest Airlines crew was respectful of the couples wishes, and allowed him time to feel better by continuing to hold the flight on the ground.
After quite some time his blood pressure still read high and the Southwest Airlines crew decided to return to the gate, where EMTs at the terminal could get a better look at his situation and provide a final determination to reduce any further delay to the other passengers on the flight.
The EMTs told the man that he wasn’t in a healthy state to fly and escorted the man to the hospital saying that his life could be in jeopardy.
Our charismatic pilot John eased the mood with the passengers by telling an anecdote in reference to an experience he had while flying in the military and looking for his aircraft carrier, where he lightened the mood and brought with it an excellent moral.
“It’s better to be bored on the ground than terrified in the air.”
We later learned the man stabilized in the hospital and would be joining the rest of his family the next day.
The rapid response time and proper identification of the mans symptoms by the Southwest crew avoided a potential disaster.
Kudos Southwest!
I’ll be flying with you again soon!
