Martin Kaplan, D.M.D., was flying home February 27 from a Caribbean vacation when he heard a flight attendant ask those fateful words, "Is there a doctor on board?"
Dr. Kaplan, president of Kid Care Dental in Stoughton, MA, knew there was little time to save the 75-year-old heavyset man who was slumped in his seat, according to a story on Enterprisenews.com.
"He was definitely, clinically dead from the first point I saw him," Dr. Kaplan told Enterprisenews.com. "I didn't think about anything except helping this guy."
When multiple defibrillator shocks didn't revive him, Dr. Kaplan applied chest compressions before finally getting a pulse.
After the plane made an emergency landing in Durham, NC, the unidentified man was taken off the plane to a hospital. Dr. Kaplan returned to his seat to a round of applause from the other passengers, according to the story.
It was the last time Dr. Kaplan heard about the man, but now he'd like to know how he is, he said in the story. But US Airways has refused his requests for the man's name and contact information, citing privacy issues.
They did, however, send him a thank-you letter and a $100 electronic travel voucher.
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