In my second week of my flight attendant career I had my first three day trip.  It had gone well and the fates had decided that was not the case with this last leg.  Fifteen minutes from home and seat 3A starts to have a heart attack.

I contacted the cockpit and gave them the vitals (you learn what vital information is in Flight Attendant School): 70-year old man, feeling extreme pains in his chest and arm, has taken two Nitrox pills, face is white, and he says he’s a cardiologist.  The cockpit told me to keep them informed and they’d have an ambulance ready on the ground and a doctor on standby if I need him.

The irony of a cardiologist going into cardiac arrest did not elude me.  I took the defibrillator out for stand by and sat with him.  I made him take off his sunglasses, though resilient, so I could see his eyes and monitor his vitals.  Through conversation, I found out he was going to his retirement/award ceremony in Fort Lauderdale.

We emergency landed and the tough old guy walked himself off the plane and into the ambulance.  Afterwards all I could think about was how he kept on trying to coach me!  Once I got to my car, I cried, a lot.  One thing I learned fast, you only have the moment to get it right, you can always panic and cry about the events later.

Popularity: 70% [?]

Share This