Virgin Blue - A Call Beyond Duty!

[Odd Man Out]

I would like to say well done to the three Virgin Pilots for trying to save a man’s life on Monday night about 10.30p.m. outside the Virgin Terminal in Sydney and near the carpark. At least I think they were Pilot’s. There were two near the man on the ground in Virgin uniforms, the one given CPR had three stripes and the man next to him on the phone had four. The lady standing near had four stripes too. It looked like the man had died to me, or he must have been pretty close to it, but these guys and girl weren’t giving up. Then the police ran over and helped them. I didn’t stay, but kept walking as the matter seemed under control. It really annoyed me seeing all these people standing around watching.

I was a passenger who had arrived back in Sydney after a business trip going to the car park. I was told about this web site by a friend. So, please don’t shoot the messenger if I have put it in the wrong place! If you guys/girl read this – WELL DONE. Otherwise could any of you Virgin people tell them they deserve a bloody medal and must have generated excellent publicity for their employer.

[Goat Whisperer]

I'm sure publicity would have been the last thing on their minds.

And yes, VB uniforms with stripes on shoulder denote pilots.

If, as indicated, it wasn't a success, it must have very traumatic on them. Hope they got the support they need.

We're pilots, but we're not always superhuman.

[apacau]

Well done to all involved. The message has made its way into DJ HQ.

[Fonz121]

We're pilots, but we're not always superhuman.

I hope that was said tongue in cheek.

Good work by the crew involved.

[john_tullamarine]

Well done.

Happens occasionally - I recall an AN F27 crew (on the Mt Gambier run if I recall correctly) had an elderly lady collapse with a heart attack. The FO applied CPR until a paramedic arrived and made the unpleasant call - very distressing for the lady's relatives who had been at the airport to see her off on the flight.

[flightleader]

Took an a/c out of Tulla yesterday with a long list of equipments being defered as there were used in the inbound flight to revive a very sick pax.3 bottles of oxygen,resusitator,medical kit,defibrillator.....but still failed to revive this pax. I was told the patches of stain on the carpet were actually blood stains but being cleaned up.

Over the years, I had 3 medical cases that ended up with death just outside the a/c or in the hospital later. It always affect me emotionally for a few days and I felt as if these were my failures. Sick and the weak ones are always my VIPs. I had transported many critically ill villagers to city for hospitalisation during my regional flying days. Toddlers with tubes coming out of their bellies made me felt like I was flying Airforce One. A lower cabin altitude was the least I could offered.

That's why after almost 20 years of airline work, I still respect those fly the Flying doctors and coast guards most.:ok:

Good on you, Virgin people!

[PPRuNeUser0198]

Whilst praise should be made for the Virgin crew in this instance, we all need to appreciate the marvellous efforts by all crews on all airlines who must deal with medical situations on a regular basis. I know a few flight attendants that have successfully and unsuccessfully revived passengers on-board as a result of neither a medic or doctor on-board.

Although these crew members are trained appropriately, no one can ever prepare for the emotional impact these events can have on individuals when it happens for real.

Well done to all airline personnel.

[Capt_SNAFU]

Don't get sick on a 380 on the leg bewtween SIN and LHR, as Dubai is the only airport between India (VOHS) & Germany (Munich) that it is available for medical div.

[Capt Fathom]

Virgin Blue - A Call Beyond Duty!

What did their uniforms have to do with it!

They just happened to be persons on the spot!

[Capt Fathom]

Don't get sick on a 380 on the leg bewtween SIN and LHR, as Dubai is the only airport between India (VOHS) & Germany (Munich) that it is available for medical div

Bahrain, Istanbul, Rome, Athens, Vienna .... are not emergency airports?

Fiji is! :E

[Capt_SNAFU]

Fathom plenty of emergency airports along the way, but would not not stop there from what I gather. No facilities for 380 like taxiways parking etc.

BTW good on the Virgin crew.

[Old 'Un]

FWIW, a (late) colleague of mine, as well as being a SAR professional and instructor, was trained in body recovery and was often called on at all hours of the day to perform those duties for the constabulary.

Talking to him one day, I asked him how he coped emotionally with these sometimes gruesome task(s). His response: "First of all, I treat each one (recovered body) with respect. Secondly, each one is treated as though they were still alive and care is taken that no further damage is done. That way, I can say, with my hand on my heart, that I did the best I could for that person. If I can help return the person to the relatives with not an extra mark on them, I have done my best." He had the same attitude towards first aid. He slept soundly at nights when there were no interruptions.

To anyone whose efforts in first aid do not have a desired positive outcome, consol yourself with the thoughts that you did everything you possibly could for that person. It was beyond your power/capability/training to do anything further. That they did not make it is no reflection on you, your training or your ability. That is life. Sometimes life sux.

Regards,

Le Vieux

[Counter-rotation]

That is an awesome post Old 'Un...

This seems like an appropriate time to encourage any of you who don't have formal First Aid training from your employer, to consider attaining at least some of the basics.

What a tragedy it would be, if you were faced with a situation where you could make a difference, but didn't have the knowledge. CPR is not a particularly hard skill to learn - and it could very well be your friend/partner/colleague who benefits.

Just a thought... :)

CR

(PS the blood bank is always looking for donors too!)

[Taildragger67]

SNAFU,

Wouldn't that depend on the track taken? Don't some 31/32 tracks go somewhat further north than Bavaria?

If southern/central Europe, I think Zurich now has A380 ground procedures as SQ are flying their Dugongs up there.

[Oxidant]

FWIW, a (late) colleague of mine, as well as being a SAR professional and instructor, was trained in body recovery and was often called on at all hours of the day to perform those duties for the constabulary.

Talking to him one day, I asked him how he coped emotionally with these sometimes gruesome task(s). His response: "First of all, I treat each one (recovered body) with respect. Secondly, each one is treated as though they were still alive and care is taken that no further damage is done. That way, I can say, with my hand on my heart, that I did the best I could for that person. If I can help return the person to the relatives with not an extra mark on them, I have done my best." He had the same attitude towards first aid. He slept soundly at nights when there were no interruptions.

To anyone whose efforts in first aid do not have a desired positive outcome, consol yourself with the thoughts that you did everything you possibly could for that person. It was beyond your power/capability/training to do anything further. That they did not make it is no reflection on you, your training or your ability. That is life. Sometimes life sux.

Regards,

Le Vieux

Very well put.

Very well done also to the guys who paused to help this person:ok:. Rather than most who would have found it "Too difficult".............................

[teresa green]

I think this is a good time to acknowledge the flight attendants, who over the years have had to deal with a death on board, which is distressing for all, especially the relative flying with the deceased. I have logged 16 deaths in 49 years of flying (and one birth) and each time it was handled with compassion and caring by the cabin crew, so top marks to them, for a difficult job well done....

[bushy]

I think the pilots concerned deserve acknowledgement of their efforts, and also the "odd man out" who posted this on Prune so that their efforts are known. They are obviously all good people who do good things.