An Ibom Air crew has revived a sick female passenger onboard Flight 561 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.   A statement on Wednesday by the airline said that the incident happened on September 21 shortly after the flight departed Abuja for Lagos.

According to the airline, its cabin crew who were trained in handling in-flight medical emergencies, responded swiftly by administering oxygen, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other first-aid protocols to the passenger.

The airline explained that prior to departure, the Senior Cabin Crew Member (SCCM) was notified of a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), travelling with her husband and family.

Shortly after take-off, and as the crew commenced in-flight service, a medical emergency was reported in the cabin, the statement said. The statement added: “The SCCM and the team immediately assessed the situation and made a public announcement requesting medical personnel onboard, but none were available.

“The crew promptly applied the, Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (DRABCDE) protocol in line with first-aid best practice. The statement emphasised that the passenger, who had no detectable pulse or breathing, was moved to the galley area where CPR and oxygen administration were carried out.

The incident, however, made the captain of the flight return to base in accordance with standard safety procedures.This was to ensure the passenger received immediate medical attention.

During the flight back, the crew took turns performing chest compressions and providing updates to the captain until landing.Upon arrival, the passenger, who had been successfully resuscitated by the Ibom Air crew, was handed over to the airport’s emergency medical response team for further care.

At the time of transfer, the passenger’s pulse and breathing had been revived, and she was reported stable, according to Ibom Air.