Chapter 59 – Emergency Response

Since that incident, the two tacitly avoided similar topics, one flying as usual, the other handling cases as usual. Fortunately, mid-year wasn’t too busy, allowing them to see each other several times a week.

Days passed smoothly until autumn arrived.

On this day, Bian Ji was on duty for an international flight, returning via multiple locations, passing through China’s golden line of Beijing-Shanghai, with a full capacity of three hundred and thirty passengers.

Learning from his previous experience of receiving complaints for inadequate greetings, Bian Ji ensured meticulous service this time, arranging for cabin crew to send greeting notes to every platinum member, fearful of any possible oversight.

There was a mother with a toddler in business class, and the second position stewardess specifically approached her, half-kneeling to introduce, “Hello, these are special slippers prepared for the child. If it’s convenient, may I help you open them?”

The lady was busy soothing her crying child and didn’t have time to respond, merely nodding her head. The second position stewardess then helped her open them and put them on the child, saying, “For meals, we have corn and pumpkin soup and mashed potatoes for children, and for adults, we have three-cup chicken, soy sauce braised beef, and cheese spaghetti. Beverages include orange juice, milk, and fruit wine. What would you like?”

While comforting and patting the child’s back, the mother frowned in thought and asked, “Where are the raw materials for the corn and pumpkin soup from?”

Caught off guard, the second position stewardess had never been asked such a question before.

Catering suppliers were selected by the airline, delivering their products directly from the airport to the aircraft. For international flights, cooperation with overseas airports was required, how would an ordinary steward know the origin of the supplier’s raw materials?

Despite being taken aback, the second position stewardess maintained her smile and politely answered, “I’m sorry, I need to confirm this with my colleagues on the ground. May I come back to you later?”

The passenger seemed somewhat displeased but didn’t say much, simply gesturing with her hand.

The second position stewardess asked, “We’ve also prepared new headphones for you, which are located in front of your seat. The touch-screen TV has already launched the latest programs. Is there anything else you need help with?”

The passenger waved her hand, “No.”

The second position stewardess smiled sweetly, “Then please rest well and hope you have a pleasant journey.”

After calming the passenger down, the second position stewardess walked over to report the unusual situation to Bian Ji, mumbling, “Brother, you didn’t see, her attitude was terrible just now, scared me to death.”

Bian Ji said, “Considering the child’s food safety, her concern is understandable.”

The second position stewardess pouted, “So precious…then don’t take him out at all. Accidents can happen easily when you’re out.”

Bian Ji’s face turned serious, warning, “Little Hu.”

Realizing her mistake, the second position stewardess quickly stood up straight, “Ah, I’m sorry.”

Bian Ji’s expression softened slightly, turning his head toward the meal preparation room, “I’ll go talk to her in a bit. You prepare the meals for the others.”

“Okay.”

Adjusting his smile, Bian Ji walked over to the passenger he had just served, half-kneeling to say, “Ms. Wang, hello, I am the chief steward of this flight. You asked about the origin of the food ingredients earlier, and I apologize for keeping you waiting. We found that the corn and pumpkin come from Chongming, and the salt and white sugar come from Anyang, with no other additives.”

Ms. Wang still didn’t feel reassured, “Which farm?”

Fortunately, Bian Ji had encountered many parents concerned about food safety before. Having asked detailed questions earlier, he reported the name of the farm, explaining, “This brand focuses on green organic production, specifically for children’s meals.”

“Organic is good, food produced with chemical pesticides cannot be fed to children,” Ms. Wang looked disdainful, “When children are this young, their liver can’t metabolize it at all.”

Bian Ji refrained from commenting, smilingly saying, “This is our airline’s partner company. If you’re not confident, I can provide contact information here for you to personally confirm with them.”

…

After ten years in the industry, Bian Ji had encountered no shortage of demanding passengers, and this kind of situation was relatively minor.

The aircraft model for this flight was a Boeing 747, with many seats and ample space, but due to considerations of operational status, the airline had reduced the number of cabin crew, leaving everyone swamped with work.

After completing his cabin patrol, with more than two hours left until arrival, the plane suddenly began to shake.

Bian Ji immediately confirmed the situation with the cockpit, then announced over the intercom, “Dear passengers, we are encountering turbulence during the flight. Please do not panic, return to your seats immediately, and fasten your seat belts. For safety reasons, the cabin crew will collect dining utensils after the aircraft stabilizes. Please ensure your meal bowls are covered to avoid spills. Passengers using the restroom, please hold onto the handrails to avoid falling…”

Before he could finish, a heart-wrenching cry suddenly came from first class.

“What happened?” Bian Ji quickly switched the communication, “Second position, report the situation.”

The second position stewardess’s voice was overly panicked, trying to remain calm, “The child in 1A is having difficulty breathing!”

Bian Ji immediately rushed to the vicinity of 1A, almost tripping several times due to excessive turbulence.

The child’s mother was in a panic, crying with her hands trembling, “What should I do? I just went to the restroom, and when I came back, he was like this…what should I do!!”

Bian Ji stepped forward to check and found the child’s skin pale, consciousness blurred, and covered in cold sweat.

Not daring to waste a second, Bian Ji quickly broadcasted for assistance, explaining the child’s symptoms and asking, “Passengers, if there are any doctors or nurses, please come to seat 1A to assist medically!”

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, with no response amidst the turbulence.

Bian Ji turned around and shouted to the second position stewardess, “Notify the captain! The child is three years old, having difficulty breathing, and his heart rate is dropping. Medical rescue is needed on the ground after landing!”

As Bian Ji spoke, he wasted no time. He laid the child flat on the ground, knelt down, checked his breathing, and began chest compressions.

The plane continued to shake, making any action difficult to stabilize. After reporting to the captain, the second position stewardess continued broadcasting for medical assistance while nervously asking in a low voice, “Brother Bian, shouldn’t you go back to your seat? It’s too dangerous!”

“First, calm the other passengers!” Bian Ji didn’t have time to say much, shouting back, the second position stewardess understood and quickly completed other procedures, allowing Bian Ji to focus on the rescue.

To stabilize himself, Bian Ji wedged his legs between the seats, crossing his palms over the center of the child’s sternum and pressing down forcefully.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation requires significant strength, which must be continuously applied. This is one of the essential trainings every flight attendant undergoes before starting their job, and it was still nerve-wracking when put into practice.

Drenched in sweat, Bian Ji ignored Ms. Wang’s objections and continued to forcefully impact the area near the child’s ribs.

“Ahh!” The child’s mother suddenly unbuckled her seat belt, rushing over and grabbing his arm, “His bones are still developing, you’ll hurt him like this!”

With only one hand controlling balance, being jolted by Ms. Wang, Bian Ji soon lost his center of gravity, his upper body swaying with the movement of the plane.

Shaking off her hand, Bian Ji continued to maintain stability with his right hand while sternly shouting, “There’s no other way right now!”

Ms. Wang cried desperately, “Where’s the doctor? Where’s the doctor! Isn’t there a doctor? A defibrillator would work too…”

Bian Ji didn’t have time to explain much, shouting for the second position stewardess to help pull her away, “There are no medical personnel or equipment on board right now, but I have received emergency training. Please trust me!”

After finishing, Bian Ji continued performing chest compressions and artificial respiration.

Suddenly affected by another air current, the plane experienced violent turbulence again. The child was thrown to the side by inertia, it was unknown if he had collided with something.

Bian Ji’s breathing became rapid due to nervousness, instructing the other flight attendants, “Closely monitor the condition of other passengers.”

The third position stewardess announced, “Dear passengers, the plane is now descending. Encountering turbulence during the flight is normal. Please do not panic. We will arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in twenty minutes.”

Bian Ji continued kneeling to provide aid, nearly exhausted from the continuous exertion, his whole body drenched in sweat.

Wang Huaimeng leaned down to check the child’s condition, anxiously shouting, “Is he okay? Stop…shouldn’t we wait for the doctor?”

The second position stewardess comforted, “Ms. Wang, before landing and sending him to the hospital, cardiopulmonary resuscitation cannot stop.”

Wang Huaimeng couldn’t stop her tears, trembling and praying “Please, nothing must happen,” while singing to the child, attempting to alleviate his pain.

The twenty-minute flight felt exceptionally long. Upon landing, Bian Ji requested medical assistance from the standby team on the ground.

Just as the child was placed on the stretcher, Bian Ji collapsed to the ground, completely drained.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation requires a lot of time and effort. His hands were shaking, and his back was soaked with sweat from the exertion.

The ambulance sped away, but Bian Ji’s task was far from over. He had to escort the passengers off the plane, conduct safety checks, clean up sanitation, sign the “Emergency Medical Event Form,” and complete various procedures. By the time he finished, the child had already been examined in the hospital.

Exiting the airport, Bian Ji saw leaves floating in the air on the jet bridge and suddenly felt weak, leaning against the railing to catch his breath.

Few people had followed to the hospital. The director of the cabin service department, Mr. Li, had already arrived. When Bian Ji sent him a message, his hands were shaking: [Director, I just finished here. If there’s news about the child, remember to notify me.] Waiting for a while without a reply, Bian Ji guessed they were busy at the hospital. He calmed his heartbeat and prepared to return to the hotel to change out of his uniform.

Within a few minutes, Director Li suddenly called back.

Bian Ji instantly felt a sense of foreboding, answering the call in a panic.

“Bian Ji,” the voice on the other end sounded forced to stay calm, “come to the hospital as soon as possible.”

Bian Ji’s heart sank, “What happened?”

“… ” Director Li sighed heavily, “They say the child’s vital signs are stable, but he suffered abdominal injuries. The specifics of the injury need to be confirmed by the doctors.”