Controller Plays Crucial Role In Saving Infant's Life

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By NATCA
Posted: 08-07-2009

CONTROLLER PLAYS CRUCIAL ROLE IN SAVING INFANT?S LIFE

NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION (NATCA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2009

MIAMI ? At 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning the pilot of a Lifeguard flight from St. Thomas bound for Miami radioed controllers at Miami Center for help because an infant on board fell into critical condition.

Switching to a frequency where neither party would be distracted, Ken Anspach took the pilot?s request ? track down a specific doctor at Miami Children?s Hospital that would know what to do. As those on board gave the infant CPR Anspach called and found the doctor, taking information relayed to him on a landline through a nurse at the hospital from the doctor and transmitting the information to the pilot on the radio. The pilot then shouted instructions to those on board.

Relaying the baby?s critical health information enabled Anspach, the pilot and those on board to save the baby?s life. After landing at Miami International Airport the infant was rushed to the hospital, where it is now in stable condition.