Dr. Oz Assists JetBlue Passenger Who Lost Consciousness During Flight
On Friday, TV personality and physician Dr. Mehmet Cengiz Oz, commonly known as Dr. Oz, used his medical expertise to aid an unconscious passenger on JetBlue Flight 939. The flight was en route from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
During the six-hour flight operated by an Airbus A320, a middle-aged man lost consciousness. Dr. Oz, who was traveling to a wedding, responded to the crew’s call for help and administered first aid. His quick actions stabilized the passenger until they could land and seek further medical assistance in Los Cabos.
A video captured by a passenger and posted on TMZ shows Dr. Oz performing a triage, which included a physical exam and monitoring vital signs. The passenger was treated with oxygen and orange juice, which helped him recover. Dr. Oz mentioned that the man needed a thorough evaluation with his local physician upon landing.
This incident highlights Dr. Oz's history of responding to medical emergencies. Three years prior, he saved a passenger's life at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) by using a defibrillator and performing CPR after the man collapsed and flatlined.
Medical emergencies on flights are not uncommon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such incidents occur on approximately one in every 604 flights. Common issues include respiratory problems, fainting, and nausea. The FAA mandates that flights carry specific medical supplies, including an FDA-approved automated external defibrillator (AED), a first-aid kit, and an emergency medical kit for every 50 passengers.
Dr. Oz’s timely intervention underscores the importance of having trained medical professionals onboard and readily available medical supplies to handle in-flight emergencies effectively.
