B737-800
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 517
Workload; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
At cruise altitude of 38;000 ft.; roughly 120 miles south of ZZZ; we were notified by the FAs (Flight Attendant) of an ill Passenger. 'Vomiting; and in-and-out of consciousness; and nauseous'. Male; 60 years-old was also suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). There were three Doctors onboard tending to the ill Passenger. As the Pilot Flying; I handed control over to the FO (First Officer); and contacted STAT-MD. The FAs headset was not working very well; additive condition; so I became the go between. STAT-MD suggested we 'lay the Passenger down; head resting; feet elevated 10 inches'. STAT-MD made the recommendation to leave the ill Passenger on the floor; in this condition; for 30 to 45 minutes. If there is no change to his condition; to call STAT-MD back. I relayed this to the FAs and disconnected with STAT-MD.The three Doctors on board disagreed with STAT-MDs recommendation; and said we need to land; 'NOW'. I was 100 percent going to take the advise of Doctors ONBOARD over STAT-MD. I reconvened as the Pilot Flying; and we came to the decision to divert to ZZZ. Since the EMK (Emergency Medical Kit) would be used; and the landing would be overweight (145;300 pounds); Maintenance would need to be involved. A diversion plan was made by Dispatch; and we [advised ATC]. Center cleared us directly to ZZZZZ on the Arrival; landing west. Things got busy; real busy. I began an; expeditious; descent to get on the VNAV PATH. Only about 80 miles from ZZZ when we began our turn for the arrival. My FO picked up ATIS and ran the numbers for XXL and XXR; including a look at the Brake Cooling module. We then briefed the arrival and approach. As we got lower we kept getting turned in on the arrival; which I was okay with. I admit; I was a bit in the Yellow for awhile. We were below 10;000 ft. when we finally got around to running the Descent; Approach; and Diversion Checklists. I extended the gear early; to help lighten our weight by as much as I could. The approach was made to Runway XXR. The; soft; landing was uneventful. We taxied off the runway; and right into the ramp. The FO contacted Ramp; Ops; and Maintenance. Once in the gate; I left the seat belt sign on and made a PA to the Passengers to remain seated. The EMTs quickly deplaned the ill Passenger and left. As soon as the boarding door was open; the Parking Checklist complete; and I turned on my phone; I was barraged; to say the least. I called Dispatch and spoke with him; the Chief Pilot on Call; Ground Ops; and Maintenance. I didn't even have time to debrief with my Crew. Once I was able to talk to the FAs it was made aware to me that an IV had been administered to the ill Passenger. It ran out as we touched down. The FAs said the ill Passenger's condition IMMEDIATELY deteriorated again. Further justifying our decision to divert. I feel I made the best decision I could; considering the circumstance and utilized all necessary resources to reach the desired outcome. A job well done by my Cabin Crew; and my FO. I also think a stellar job was made by Ops and Maintenance to get the aircraft on its way again.
B738 Captain reported a medical diversion.