Around The Railroad

UP Nurse Assists Ailing Passenger

August 22, 2008 | 10:40 a.m. CDT

On a flight from Kansas City, Mo., to San Antonio, Occupational Health Nurse Ray Lynn Ruiz assisted an ailing passenger, possibly saving his life.

The passenger, a double amputee suffering from several health issues, was experiencing problems with his portable oxygen concentrator. The device provides therapy to a patient requiring higher oxygen concentrations than the atmosphere provides.

The passenger's wife called for help as the concentrator alarm beeped, indicating he wasn't getting enough oxygen.

Ruiz took action when it was apparent the responding flight attendants didn't know what to do. She placed the plane's oxygen mask on the passenger and studied the concentrator, determining that three of the machine's four batteries were dead. The wife, not knowing how to maintain the equipment, had not charged them.

The flight attendants provided the passenger with a reserve oxygen tank at Ruiz' request. Ruiz noticed that the reserve tank had half the volume of oxygen it should and was concerned it would not last for the flight's duration.

Ruiz asked the flight attendants to arrange for EMTs to be waiting at the gate upon the plane's arrival. She then explained basic concentrator maintenance to the wife.

Although the reserve tank ran out of oxygen just as the plane landed, the man was OK. Ruiz stayed with him until EMTs took over.

"I was traveling with three other occupational health nurses on that trip," said Ruiz, of San Antonio. "When we arrived at the airport that morning to fly home, all flights were on schedule except mine. Due to mechanical problems, I was unable to get a flight until the next morning. I believe God wanted me on that rescheduled flight because he knew someone would need my help."