A remarkable act of heroism unfolded last week aboard an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Pune after a middle-aged woman faced a cardiac arrest mid-air. Dr Ashok Kumar Badamali, a seasoned consultant in cardiac anaesthesia at the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, emerged as a lifesaver, aided by cabin crew members and fellow passengers.

Flight I5-764 departed from Delhi at approximately 4 am on March 17, scheduled to reach Pune by 6:10 am. Dr Badamali happened to occupy seat 9D. Around 5:15 am, amidst the flight's journey, a cabin crew member urgently announced a medical emergency, seeking assistance from any doctors or paramedics onboard.

Responding promptly, Dr Badamali was escorted to the location where the distressed woman sat. Describing the scene, he recounted finding her struggling for breath with a racing carotid pulse, despite being belted in and unresponsive.

The confined space posed challenges for administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Despite the limitations, Dr Badamali, aided by the crew, managed to reposition the woman to a more spacious area near the wings, with the invaluable help of other passengers.

Performing a carotid massage, Dr Badamali witnessed a gradual improvement in the woman's pulse, eventually leading to her regaining semi-consciousness. The collaborative effort onboard, including chest compressions, proved instrumental in stabilizing her condition.

Reflecting on the incident, Dr Badamali expressed gratitude to the cooperative efforts of everyone involved, highlighting the critical role played by fellow passengers in facilitating the woman's movement to a more conducive space for medical intervention.

In response to inquiries, an AIX Connect spokesperson acknowledged the medical emergency onboard, affirming that the airline crew, in coordination with Dr Badamali, provided immediate medical attention. Additionally, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) was alerted to ensure prompt medical assistance upon the flight's arrival in Pune.