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Local firefighters help save a life

3 Hamilton firefighters answer flight attendant’s call for help to save man.

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By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer 10:19 PM Tuesday, May 3, 2011

HAMILTON — The quick-thinking action of three Hamilton firefighters helped save a man’s life aboard a flight from Ohio to Florida.

About 45 minutes into the flight, vacationing firefighter paramedics Scott Baum, Dave Glasshagel and Todd Schlenk heard a flight attendant announce the need for a doctor, nurse or paramedic on board.

“We stood up and there was commotion in the back; a man was in the aisle on his back,” Baum said. “A nurse was doing compressions on his chest and we took over because she was a little panicky.”

Baum said he climbed over seats in order to reach the 42-year-old unconscious man who had likely suffered a seizure. An intravenous needle had to be put into the man’s jugular vein due to medical shunts on his arm and weak veins, he said.

An automated external defibrillator also was used to regulate the man’s heart, all while the flight was making an emergency descent into Atlanta.

“After a few minutes he woke up and we had an emergency landing where the Atlanta Fire Department came on board,” Baum said. “The flight and crew thanked us and people were clapping.”

Schlenk said in his six years with the department he’s never had something like this happen.

“Before they called for people, the stewardesses seemed panicked,” Schlenk said. “Everything happened pretty quick and the staff was good at getting us the equipment fast.”

The three firefighters work together at Station 5 on South Erie Highway. Schlenk said the efforts among the three men were seamless because each knew what the other was doing.

“It was comforting because we’re familiar with each other,” Schlenk said.

Glasshagel agreed, saying the process was quick and smooth.

“It was like another day at work,” Glasshagel said.

This wasn’t Baum’s first encounter with an emergency life-saving moment. In mid-March, Baum assisted in catching an 8-month-old baby from a second-story window while the home was on fire.

“It was a great feeling; everyone stayed calm,” Baum said. “We’re still riding a high.”

Baum said a perk of the efforts was free alcoholic drinks the rest of the flight. The men are now enjoying 80 degree, sunny weather in Naples the remainder of the week.

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