This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/magazine/8140167.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Passengers that saved the day Passengers that saved the day
(about 13 hours later)
When an emergency strikes, who are you going to call? You could do worse - much worse - than an off-duty doctor/engineer/pilot (delete according to the nature of your plight).When an emergency strikes, who are you going to call? You could do worse - much worse - than an off-duty doctor/engineer/pilot (delete according to the nature of your plight).
Doug Smith had to take control relying only on his rusty skillsDoug Smith had to take control relying only on his rusty skills
It is like something from a boys' own adventure. A plane breaks down. The engineer is delayed. So a passenger offers to fix it. Good thing he turns out to be an engineer.It is like something from a boys' own adventure. A plane breaks down. The engineer is delayed. So a passenger offers to fix it. Good thing he turns out to be an engineer.
This is what happened on a Thomas Cook flight from Menorca, grounded by a mechanical fault until an engineer could be flown out from the UK. From the ranks of the stranded holidaymakers stepped a qualified aircraft engineer, who repaired the fault and spared everyone an excruciatingly long delay.This is what happened on a Thomas Cook flight from Menorca, grounded by a mechanical fault until an engineer could be flown out from the UK. From the ranks of the stranded holidaymakers stepped a qualified aircraft engineer, who repaired the fault and spared everyone an excruciatingly long delay.
This holiday hero is the latest in a line of off-duty experts who find their skills - however rusty these might be - come in handy in a time of need.This holiday hero is the latest in a line of off-duty experts who find their skills - however rusty these might be - come in handy in a time of need.
PASSENGER LANDS PLANEPASSENGER LANDS PLANE
Dorothy Fletcher wasn't short of medics to help herDorothy Fletcher wasn't short of medics to help her
A pilot is the best person to land a plane. But if the pilot is incapacitated, an amateur enthusiast is better than no pilot at all.A pilot is the best person to land a plane. But if the pilot is incapacitated, an amateur enthusiast is better than no pilot at all.
In April, passenger Doug Smith took the controls when the pilot collapsed during a charter flight home to Louisiana.In April, passenger Doug Smith took the controls when the pilot collapsed during a charter flight home to Louisiana.
While Mr Smith held a pilot's licence, he hadn't used it for 18 years and had never flown this type of plane. So he told his family to "pray hard", and asked air traffic control for help.While Mr Smith held a pilot's licence, he hadn't used it for 18 years and had never flown this type of plane. So he told his family to "pray hard", and asked air traffic control for help.
With step-by-step instructions, he managed to land the plane safely. While understandably afraid, he says what he felt was "focused fear; I was in some kind of a zone that I can't explain".With step-by-step instructions, he managed to land the plane safely. While understandably afraid, he says what he felt was "focused fear; I was in some kind of a zone that I can't explain".
IS THERE A DOCTOR ON BOARD?IS THERE A DOCTOR ON BOARD?
Heart attacks. Fainting spells. Unexpected labour pains. Not what one would want to experience while cruising at 40,000 feet with little more than the on-board first aid kit and plastic cutlery to hand.Heart attacks. Fainting spells. Unexpected labour pains. Not what one would want to experience while cruising at 40,000 feet with little more than the on-board first aid kit and plastic cutlery to hand.
Would anybody die because of my perhaps inadequate medical skills? Psychiatrist Steven MofficWould anybody die because of my perhaps inadequate medical skills? Psychiatrist Steven Moffic
So when a flight attendant suddenly asks "Is there a doctor on board?" the hope is that the answer is "yes".So when a flight attendant suddenly asks "Is there a doctor on board?" the hope is that the answer is "yes".
While travelling home from a holiday in India, a stewardess asked Dr H. Steven Moffic to help when a fellow passenger fell ill with abdominal pains. While travelling home from a holiday in India, a stewardess asked Dr H Steven Moffic to help when a fellow passenger fell ill with abdominal pains.
A psychiatrist rather than a medical doctor, Dr Moffic says he broke out in a cold sweat - especially as the plane was flying over frozen tundra, far from any medical facilities, at the time. Dr Moffic, a psychiatrist, says he broke out in a cold sweat - especially as the plane was flying over frozen tundra, far from any medical facilities, at the time.
"Very briefly I hesitated. It's the biggest fear I have as a psychiatrist. Would anybody die because of my perhaps inadequate medical skills?"Very briefly I hesitated. It's the biggest fear I have as a psychiatrist. Would anybody die because of my perhaps inadequate medical skills?
"Then the old reflex from internship years seemed to take over, and off I went.""Then the old reflex from internship years seemed to take over, and off I went."
Suspecting appendicitis, there was little Dr Moffic could do other than sit with the man to provide comfort until the plane made an emergency landing in Chicago.Suspecting appendicitis, there was little Dr Moffic could do other than sit with the man to provide comfort until the plane made an emergency landing in Chicago.
Heart attackHeart attack
In-flight medical events are becoming more common, according to a study published in The Lancet in February, as bigger planes stretch out journey distances, and more passengers with pre-existing conditions take to the air and perhaps suffer in the cabin's artificial atmosphere.In-flight medical events are becoming more common, according to a study published in The Lancet in February, as bigger planes stretch out journey distances, and more passengers with pre-existing conditions take to the air and perhaps suffer in the cabin's artificial atmosphere.
Paul Dadge helps outPaul Dadge helps out
In 2004, when 67-year-old Dorothy Fletcher suffered a mid-flight heart attack, the call went out for expert assistance. Not one, but 15 cardiologists rose to their feet. The party had been travelling together for a conference.In 2004, when 67-year-old Dorothy Fletcher suffered a mid-flight heart attack, the call went out for expert assistance. Not one, but 15 cardiologists rose to their feet. The party had been travelling together for a conference.
Then there are the babies born mid-flight. Two years ago a Brazilian woman who didn't know she was pregnant went into labour.Then there are the babies born mid-flight. Two years ago a Brazilian woman who didn't know she was pregnant went into labour.
Also on board was an Australian obstetrician, who delivered the little girl on the floor between the toilets and the food preparation area, equipped with only a basic first aid kit and an emergency oxygen mask.Also on board was an Australian obstetrician, who delivered the little girl on the floor between the toilets and the food preparation area, equipped with only a basic first aid kit and an emergency oxygen mask.
FAMOUS FIRE FIGHTERFAMOUS FIRE FIGHTER
Sir Jimmy Savile wearing the police jacket. Picture: Howard SilvermanSir Jimmy Savile wearing the police jacket. Picture: Howard Silverman
Four years ago when rush-hour London was rocked by four bomb attacks, passengers and passers-by pitched in to help emergency workers.Four years ago when rush-hour London was rocked by four bomb attacks, passengers and passers-by pitched in to help emergency workers.
One of the most recognisably images from that day was of a man helping a woman in a burn mask across the street - Paul Dadge, a former retained fire fighter, who happened to be walking past Edgware Rd Tube station as the first casualties emerged.One of the most recognisably images from that day was of a man helping a woman in a burn mask across the street - Paul Dadge, a former retained fire fighter, who happened to be walking past Edgware Rd Tube station as the first casualties emerged.
He helped set up an emergency centre at a nearby Marks and Spencer, and spent much of the day with the walking wounded, filling out triage cards and helping evacuate the casualties during a subsequent security alert.He helped set up an emergency centre at a nearby Marks and Spencer, and spent much of the day with the walking wounded, filling out triage cards and helping evacuate the casualties during a subsequent security alert.
Trained in first-aid, Mr Dadge says instinct played a big part. "I just happened to be on the spot and I did what I could to help."Trained in first-aid, Mr Dadge says instinct played a big part. "I just happened to be on the spot and I did what I could to help."
JIM'LL FIX ITJIM'LL FIX IT
Sometimes no specialist training is needed, just a dash of have-a-go spirit.Sometimes no specialist training is needed, just a dash of have-a-go spirit.
Last August veteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Savile fixed it for motorists when he stepped in to direct traffic after a road accident near his penthouse home.Last August veteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Savile fixed it for motorists when he stepped in to direct traffic after a road accident near his penthouse home.
Sir Jimmy had been on his way to dinner in Leeds when his car narrowly avoided a collision with a Mercedes. The Merc then collided with another car head-on, and Sir Jimmy jumped out of his own vehicle.Sir Jimmy had been on his way to dinner in Leeds when his car narrowly avoided a collision with a Mercedes. The Merc then collided with another car head-on, and Sir Jimmy jumped out of his own vehicle.
The 81-year-old began directing traffic around the wreckage. When the emergency services arrived, a police officer gave him a hi-vis jacket and told him to keep up the good work. Those years fronting road safety campaigns perhaps came in handy.The 81-year-old began directing traffic around the wreckage. When the emergency services arrived, a police officer gave him a hi-vis jacket and told him to keep up the good work. Those years fronting road safety campaigns perhaps came in handy.