Provo Firefighter Helps Save Man on Flight

PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A firefighter from Provo was in the right place at the right time—30,000 feet above ground.

On Dec. 1, firefighter and paramedic Joel Burrows put his skills to use on a late night flight to Atlanta.

“A flight attendant got over the radio was asking for a doctor or nurse,” he told ABC 4.

Burrows was escorted to first class where he found a man very pale and sweaty and having a cardiac crisis.

“I laid him down, raised his feet, took some vitals,” said Burrow. “I started an IV, gave him some oxygen, hooked him up to a cardiac monitor.”

Burrows was surprised by how well-equipped the airlines are when it comes to medical devices.

“The airlines actually have a lot of medical equipment on board, they were ready to go,” he said.

The plane diverted to Memphis where paramedics on the ground took over. “I don't think he would have made it to Atlanta,” Burrows said about the man. “His pressure was 60 over 40 unknown if it was going to continue to drop or not.”

A nurse from Utah Valley Hospital was also on the plane and helped.

Source:     http://www.abc4.com