r assistance to the flight crew. Volgenin and the pharmacist performed an evaluation of the patient and administered four liters of oxygen and two 200-milligram tablets of ibuprofen, the only medicine available on the plane.
Volgenin and the pharmacist monitored the patient for the next three hours, taking and recording vital signs every 15 minutes, which they logged and passed on to paramedics in Hong Kong. The patient’s awareness increased toward the end of the flight.
Volgenin later said simply, “I did what was needed.”
Personnel at American Airlines, the carrier for Flight 193 to Hong Kong, weren’t willing to let it go at that.
Kris Belland, American’s chief medical officer, sent Volgenin an email to give the company’s formal thanks and a bonus of 25,000 frequent-flyer miles.
“We realize your offer of assistance was not motivated by any potential reward,” Belland wrote. “Nevertheless, we wanted you to know how much your efforts were appreciated — and that we look forward to serving you again soon.”
Volgenin is assigned to the New Mexico Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry. He currently serves in the battalion’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Las Cruces.
HHC 1st Sgt. Docklure Stephanus said that Volgenin conducted himself “heroically and professionally” to provide “life-saving medical aid.”
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