Two young nurses from Kerala, Abhijith Jees (26, from Wayanad) and Ajeesh Nelson (29, from Chengannur), became unexpected heroes mid-air when they saved the life of a fellow passenger who suffered a cardiac arrest on a flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi.
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Mid-Air Medical Emergency
The nurses were traveling on an early morning Air Arabia flight 3L128, their first-ever international trip to the UAE to take up new jobs as Registered Nurses with Response Plus Medical (RPM). Just 20 minutes into the flight, as the aircraft was cruising over the Arabian Sea, Abhijith heard a faint gasp from a nearby seat.
Upon investigation, he saw a 34-year-old man from Thrissur, Kerala, slumped and unresponsive. Abhijith immediately checked his pulse and found none, recognizing that the man was in cardiac arrest. He quickly alerted the crew and began Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Ajeesh swiftly joined in, and the two worked in coordination, focusing calmly on the task.
Life Saved at 35,000 Feet
The duo performed two rounds of CPR until the passenger regained a pulse and began breathing again. Their timely action at 35,000 feet successfully stabilized the man. A doctor who was also onboard, Dr. Arif Abdul Khadir, stepped in to assist with IV fluids and monitoring, ensuring the man remained stable until the plane landed safely in Abu Dhabi.
The passenger was later reported to be in stable condition after receiving treatment from the airport medical team. His family expressed profound gratitude to the nurses for giving their loved one “another chance at life.”
Appreciation and Recognition
The incident was brought to light by a fellow traveler who was also an RPM employee. Recognizing the extraordinary act of courage and professionalism, Response Plus Medical (RPM), the nurses’ new employer, felicitated Abhijith and Ajeesh.
Dr. Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Holding, praised their quick response, stating they had “shown the true spirit of RPM by saving a patient outside the hospital environment.” For Abhijith and Ajeesh, who had worked as staff nurses in India, the life-saving experience before even starting their new careers underscored the true meaning of their profession.
You can watch this news report about nurses saving a life on a flight for more context on similar mid-air emergencies.
