BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
It was a flight that could have ended in tragedy, but the professionalism and composure of Ibom Air’s crew turned it into a story of quick thinking and life-saving action.
On September 21, a female passenger on Ibom Air Flight 561 from Abuja to Lagos suffered a medical emergency shortly after take-off.
According to the airline, the crew responded “swiftly and professionally” by administering oxygen, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other critical first-aid protocols.
“Before departure, the Senior Cabin Crew Member (SCCM) had been informed of a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) traveling with her husband and family.
“Not long after take-off, as the crew began in-flight service, an urgent call was raised in the cabin.
“The SCCM and the team immediately assessed the situation and made a public announcement requesting medical personnel onboard, but none was available,” the airline explained.
Faced with no external help, the cabin crew initiated the DRABCDE protocol — Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — in line with international best practice.
The passenger, found with no detectable pulse or breathing, was moved to the galley area where CPR and oxygen were administered.
The captain, adhering to standard safety procedures, decided to return to Abuja to ensure immediate medical intervention on the ground.
Throughout the flight back, the crew worked in shifts, performing chest compressions and updating the cockpit until the aircraft landed.
By the time the plane touched down, the once-unresponsive passenger had been resuscitated.
“The passenger’s pulse and breathing had been revived, and she was reported stable,” Ibom Air confirmed. She was promptly handed over to the airport’s emergency medical response team for further treatment.
With the passenger stabilized, the flight was subsequently turned around and continued its service to Lagos.
Ibom Air praised its crew for their composure and dedication under intense pressure.
“Passenger safety remains Ibom Air’s highest priority. We commend our cabin crew for their professionalism and swift response, and we also acknowledge the airport medical team for their immediate support on arrival,” the statement read.
Aviation safety analysts note that while airlines routinely train crew members to handle medical incidents, successful resuscitations in-flight remain relatively rare due to the unpredictable nature of emergencies and limited equipment on board.
This case, they argue, underscores the value of rigorous training and constant preparedness in commercial aviation.
For the passenger and her family, it was a day when training met timing and lives were changed because a crew did not falter.
