Armed Forces News

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) salutes his fellow Soldiers while jumping out of a C-130 Hercules aircraft over a drop zone in Germany, Feb. 24, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Jason Johnston/Released)

Quick and decisive action by an Army combat medic revived a passenger who became unconscious during a civilian airline flight. The incident took place during a Dec. 14 trip to Germany from Portugal.

Sgt. 1st Class Teresa Prupis heard an announcement over the plane’s intercom asking if a doctor were present on the flight, Regional Health Command Europe reported. “Nobody stood up, so I did,” Prupis said.

According to RHCE, a 24-year-old man had passed out in his seat and was covered in sweat. Prupis checked the man’s circulation and breathing. She and her husband then moved the man onto the floor, got help from a flight attendant elevating his feet, and placed an oxygen mask on his face.

In time, the man regained consciousness and was returned to his seat. Using a translator, Prupis was able to ask the young man some questions. She also reassured the pilot that the flight could proceed to Germany as scheduled and would not need to make an emergency landing.

Once on the ground, a physician and medical team awaited them and took the man for further observation and treatment.

“The flight crew thanked me profusely once he was off the plane,” said Prupis, a 17-year veteran who works as Regional Health Command Europe liaison officer to the U.S. Army Europe Office of the Command Surgeon.