SINGAPORE - A Singapore Armed Forces medic and his wife, who is a nurse, have been commended after they stepped up to help an unconscious man on board a flight they were on on Friday (July 6).

Medical vocational instructor ME1 Lam Guo Wei and wife Audrey Chia were en route to Fukuoka in Japan on board a Singapore Airlines flight, when they noticed that a man had fainted outside the toilet behind their seats, said The Singapore Army in a Facebook post on Monday evening.

ME1 Lam and Ms Chia, both 27, immediately shifted the man to a more spacious part of the plane, where they provided medical assistance. The couple checked the vital signs of the man and asked the man about his medical history, with a flight stewardess acting as an interpreter.

A Japanese doctor on the same flight then came by after the man's condition stabilised. After receiving an update on the man from ME1 Lam, the doctor deduced that no emergency landing was required, said the Singapore Army in its post.

The couple's act was quickly lauded by netizens, with the post attracting almost 500 likes in three hours.

Facebook user Jason Yeo said: "Seen this guy around during my trainee days and happens to be one of the trainers for the reservist medics... great trainer."

ME1 Lam and Ms Chia's act was first posted online by another Facebook user John Lin, who was travelling with the couple.

Mr Lin told The Straits Times that the couple were on their way to Japan for a pre-wedding photoshoot.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Lin said that a passenger had suddenly passed out mid-flight. Photos uploaded by Mr Lin showed the couple crouched over a man with an oxygen mask attached to his mouth.

He posted: "Our clients, who are qualified medical professionals, sprang into action like it's second nature. And indeed it was!

"Seeing them saving a life real time, as husband and wife was an awe inspiring experience."

ST has contacted the Singapore Armed Forces for more information.