ALTERNATIVE doctor Guo Yao Yu saved the day when a medical drama struck at 30,000ft.

When the terrifying cry "Is there a doctor on the plane?" rang out, Dr Yu leapt into action.

Although the passed-out patient was not responding to oxygen or his wife's voice, he knew just what to do.

The 40-year-old used the traditional Chinese healing cream Tiger Balm and acupressure to revive the passenger who collapsed five hours into a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Heathrow.

Dr Yu said: "I saw the passenger had fainted and they took him to the back of the plane to lie him down and give him oxygen, but he was not recovering.

"The flight crew asked if there was a doctor on board. His family seemed very panicked and were calling out his name but he was not responding. I went up and told them I could help. I just felt it was my duty to help. That's what

doctors are for.

"I gave the man acupressure and put Tiger Balm on his pressure points. He woke up in about one minute and said: 'I'm okay.' Then I told him to drink some cold water to cool him down.

"The cabin crew were very appreciative and came up and thanked me at the end. The man's family held my hand and also thanked me. I was very proud I could help out."

Ointment

Dr Yu, who was on the return journey after a family holiday, works at the Chinese Medicine Centre, in St James's Street. He trained in Shanghai for six years and uses acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese herbs.

Tiger Balm is a non-prescription ointment used widely in China for the relief of muscle aches, insect bites, headaches and fainting. It has been marketed for about 100 years and its ingredients include peppermint and clove oils.

Dr Yu's drama unfolded at night-time, five hours into the ten- hour journey he was making with his wife and child to return to their Eastbourne home on January 5.

United Airlines spokesman Kevin Johnston said all the company's 23,000 flight attendants were trained in first aid and staff could make contact with some of the world's best hospitals in a

medical emergency.

But he explained the airline, which carries 87 million passengers every year, could find itself in situations where a different sort of medical help was needed.

Mr Johnston added: "We are grateful to anyone who can offer help to flight attendants or

passengers who need medical attention."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.