On a recent Lufthansa flight from Montreal to Frankfurt, United Hatzalah volunteer physician Dr. Nathan Ungar was taking a nap when flight attendants who knew his medical background hurried to his seat, rousing him with news of a 60-year-old man who had fainted.

Dr. Ungar followed the attendants to find the elderly passenger pale and disoriented. He requested the plane’s medical kit and took the patient’s vitals, finding a very low blood pressure and slightly below-standard oxygen saturation.

The physician directed the attendants to lay the man down as he began administering intravenous fluids and providing oxygen to the patient. For nearly half an hour, Dr. Ungar and the flight crew monitored the man’s condition as his color gradually returned and his consciousness stabilized.

After the physician ascertained that the patient was now stable and healthy, the passenger returned to his seat. The flight continued safely to its intended destination without needing an emergency landing.

“I was just doing what any doctor would do in such a situation,” said Dr. Ungar. “I’m relieved that we were able to stabilize him and continue the flight without incident.”