Abu Dhabi-based nurse Em Serrano. SUPPLIED

Filipino nurse and award-winning content creator Em Serrano saved the day during a recent flight to Manila after a young girl on board lost consciousness during landing. The emergency unfolded on February 23, shortly before the aircraft landed in the Philippine capital. Serrano, who was flying home to take a short break with her family, was exhausted from filming vlogs just before the flight. But her instincts and training as a nurse kicked in when a panicked mother shouted for help. “The mother suddenly shouted for help, claiming her daughter needed assistance,” Serrano told Expat Media upon her return to the UAE. “The flight attendants quickly responded, and I immediately told them, ‘Miss, I’m a nurse!’ before approaching the girl.” The child, a girl aged around 10 to 13, was traveling with her parents, grandmother, and siblings. She was reportedly having a seizure and had lost consciousness while seated by the window. Serrano rushed to the scene and began administering emergency care. “She was unconscious, pale, and unresponsive. The family said it was the first time she had experienced a seizure,” she recalled. Assessing the situation, Serrano suspected dehydration and hypoglycemia, particularly after learning that the child had neither eaten nor drunk anything throughout the flight. “I wet some tissue to moisten her lips and removed her jacket to help her cool down,” she said. “I kept applying white flower oil under her nose while calling her name. After about 10 to 15 minutes, she opened her eyes and became responsive.” Serrano then gave the girl some candy, which seemed to help restore her energy. By the time airport medics arrived at the aircraft, the child was alert. Serrano assisted in transferring the child to a wheelchair and submitted her nursing license to the crew and medical responders. Despite being a content creator and entrepreneur full-time since resigning from her job as a school nurse in July 2024, Serrano said she remains a nurse at heart and is currently reviewing for the US NCLEX exam. She has spent more than 10 years in Abu Dhabi, with a decade of nursing experience—including two years as a private nurse for a local family and eight years as a school nurse. “It’s scary when something like this happens mid-flight, but I reminded myself that I have the training, and that not helping would be worse,” Serrano said. “If you have the skills and the knowledge, don’t hesitate to help, especially when there’s no doctor onboard.” Serrano also emphasized the importance of preparing children for long flights. “Make sure your kids are hydrated and well-fed before and during the flight. If they have a medical condition, inform the crew and carry all necessary medications and a list of vitamins. White flower oil and hard candy also help,” she advised. Reflecting on the moment, Serrano said the most rewarding part was hearing the family’s heartfelt gratitude. “The grandmother told me, ‘Thank you, Doc!’ and I just smiled and said, ‘I’m just a nurse, Grandma.’ One of the flight attendants said, ‘You’re a hero, ma’am,’” she recalled. “I realized that helping someone during an emergency, especially in mid-air, is something truly meaningful.” A rising social media personality, Serrano has received several awards, including Food and Travel Blogger of the Year at the Hospitality Middle East Awards, the Gawad Pinoy 2023 Award, Filipino Influencer 2023 Award, and most recently, the Star Icon Award at the Global Filipino Icon Awards 2025 in Dubai. Still, Serrano says the rescue onboard the plane reminded her of why she became a nurse in the first place. “I told myself, ‘Ma, you didn’t make a mistake sending me to nursing school. I can help people—especially in an emergency.’” ICA/PIA/Expat Media
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