A medical emergency on a flight from Georgia to Israel was resolved without requiring an emergency landing, thanks to the intervention of a United Hatzalah volunteer EMT who happened to be on the flight.

Yinon Tsarfati, an EMT and ambulance driver with the volunteer-based EMS organization, responded when a 70-year-old female passenger became ill during the flight. The woman had briefly lost consciousness during the flight on Thursday, prompting flight attendants to request medical assistance over the plane’s intercom.

Tsarfati conducted a blood sugar test using a device borrowed from another passenger. The test revealed low blood sugar levels, which had caused the woman’s condition to deteriorate.

Using medical equipment available on the aircraft, Tsarfati provided initial treatment and monitored the patient’s vital signs. He successfully stabilized her condition, eliminating the need for an emergency landing.

Upon arrival in Israel, Tsarfati reflected on the experience: “This incident reminds us that medical emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. As EMTs, we’re trained to be ready to help in all situations. It’s gratifying to know that our skills can make a difference, whether on the ground or at 30,000 feet.”