B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 14000; Flight Crew Type 1130
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Diverted; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
Received a call from the Aft Flight Attendant that a medical emergency was unfolding with a 40 year old man and that he would get back to me with details shortly. I began to discuss options with my First Officer and to check weather at the nearest suitable field that could offer medical attention (ZZZ; 120 miles away). Several minutes later; I was notified by the aft flight attendant that the passenger was non responsive and had blood streaming from his nose and mouth. He was also 'ash white'. By this time I had already placed a 'Call Me' with Dispatch and had checked the weather at ZZZ. Clear but windy with gusts to 24 knots. I had relinquished the controls to my First Officer and began the process of managing the situation. A PA was placed for medical personnel and a doctor answered the call and rendered assistance along with a nurse. At this time I was notified that the patient was seizing and vomiting blood all over. I had dispatch on the line and medical had just got involved. As we were now only 70 miles from ZZZ; I made the decision to [advise ATC] and get this man on the ground for medical assistance. Dispatch concurred and began notification of the station. I set up the FMC and checked our landing weight (300 lbs under max) then briefed the First Officer. After the brief and our turn towards ZZZ I took the controls back from the First Officer and began the descent. While descending through 15;000 feet we encountered moderate turbulence that lasted until we were below 10;000 feet. It was rough enough that I had to disconnect the autopilot and hand fly to slow our airspeed in a timely manner as we were near max. The landing and taxi in were uneventful although I was very concerned about the brakes and mentioned that to my FO on the way in. When we arrived at the gate ground personnel and the Paramedics were awaiting our arrival. They came onboard; rendered assistance while the passengers remained seated and removed the ill passenger.We had several maintenance issues as the AED had the seal broken and there were used O2 bottles with blood on them and blood splatter on a whole row of seats. A First Aid kit had to be replaced. The brakes were very hot and glowing red. There was concern that tire fuses would blow. Fortunately; that did not happen. The ZZZ ground crew and Maintenance worked very hard to replace the equipment and I worked with Maintenance Control to get a one-time deferral for the broken seal on the AED. All personnel in ZZZ did an incredible job. We refueled and refiled for an uneventful flight to our destination. My whole crew acted very professionally and performed very well in a stressful time.
B737 Captain reported a diversion due to an ill passenger.