Summary
- Dr. Oz showed off his medical skills on a JetBlue flight, stabilizing an incapacitated passenger successfully.
- He helped the man back to consciousness using oxygen, orange juice, and medical know-how.
- This isn’t the first time – Dr. Oz also saved a life at Newark airport, displaying his heroism once more.
On Friday, June 14th, 2024, TV personality and physician Dr. Mehemet Cengiz Oz, commonly known as Dr. Oz, showcased his medical acumen as he aided an incapacitated passenger and successfully stabilized him until they could land and get help at Los Cabos.
A famous helping hand
The incident occurred on Friday’s JetBlue Flight 939, which offers nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). The airline is the only carrier to operate this route and utilizes the narrowbody Airbus A320 for the six-hour flight.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying
In a video captured by a passenger and uploaded to TMZ, Dr. Oz, who was on his way to a wedding, can be seen heroically answering the crew’s calls for help and jumping into action to help the passenger having a medical emergency.
The passenger was going in and out of consciousness. The doctor told TMZ in an interview that:
“ [A] middle-aged healthy man lost consciousness, and we did usual triage with physical exam and vital signs. After oxygen, OJ, and time, he recovered and needs to have a detailed evaluation with his local physician.”
Dr. Oz said the passenger was doing significantly better after treatment. Witnesses told the gossip outlet that the doctor even gave the man his personal phone number in case he needed it after they landed.
The treatment included oxygen, which the doctor said “is the best drug we ever use.” And some orange juice, which he prescribed in case the man’s blood sugar was low.
A reliable hero
Friday’s incident isn’t the first time Dr. Oz has put his medical experience into practice. Three years ago, he helped save another passenger’s life after they collapsed at the baggage claim at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Photo: Wangkun Jia | Shutterstock
The man supposedly flatlined at the terminal, and Dr. Oz, who happened to be nearby, sprung into action after the man’s daughter called for help. The good doctor used an emergency defibrillator to resuscitate him as onlookers watched in shock and awe.
With help from a Newark Port Authority police officer, Dr. Oz performed CPR and cleared the man’s airway to ensure he could breathe freely. He said during an interview, “As physicians and human beings, it’s our responsibility to jump in when there’s a medical emergency.”
Surely, both passengers were lucky that Dr. Oz was around to help.
Medical emergencies onboard aircraft
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before the COVID-19 pandemic, medical emergencies occurred on approximately one of every 604 flights. The most common emergencies included respiratory issues, syncope (fainting), nausea, and vomiting.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.
90% of the time, these medical issues do not warrant a diversion. However, when aircraft do end up diverting, the issue is attributed to a more serious medical issue such as cardiac arrest, strokes, or obstetric or gynecologic issues.
To help deal with issues, the FAA mandates the following medical supplies have to be available on flights:
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved automated external defibrillator (AED)
- First-aid Kit
- One emergency medical kit (EMK) is needed for every 50 passengers.
Despite the high frequency of in-flight medical emergencies, only 0.3% of cases have resulted in deaths.