Song Tu Tay Island Infirmary treats Binh Thuan fisherman suffering from decompression sickness while diving

The patient is Mr. Tran Van Uu, born in 1986, from Phu Long, Long Hai, Binh Thuan, a crew member of fishing boat BT 97669 TS, captained by Mr. Tran Huu Khiem, born in 1974, from the same hometown. Through the investigation, the patient was previously healthy.

According to Captain Tran Huu Khiem, on May 8, 2025, the patient dived twice, the first time diving for 4 hours at a depth of 20 m, the time to surface was 5 minutes, after surfacing the patient experienced numbness and weakness in both limbs, and difficulty urinating. The second time the patient dived for 3 hours at a depth of 9 m, the time to surface was 3 minutes, after surfacing the symptoms decreased, numbness in the limbs was relieved, mobility improved, but then both legs became numb and weak again, gradually increasing.

Doctors examine patients. (Photo: Brigade 146)

On May 9, 2025, the patient dived for 1-3 hours at a depth of 8 m, surfacing for 3 minutes, and after surfacing, the symptoms did not improve. At about 4:30 p.m. on May 9, 2025, the patient was admitted to Song Tu Tay Island Infirmary in a conscious state, with good contact, pulse 100 times/minute, blood pressure 140/90 mmHg, temperature 37.5 degrees Celsius, breathing on his own, no headache, numbness from below the navel down, weakness in both legs (muscle strength 4/5), difficulty urinating, able to move both arms, no pain in both ears, no bleeding, soft abdomen, no pain. Chest X-ray on both sides is bright, costophrenic angles on both sides are sharp, thoracic vertebrae are not collapsed.

After receiving the patient, Song Tu Tay Island infirmary reported to superiors and conducted an examination; the doctors and nurses diagnosed the patient with severe acute decompression sickness (type 2).

The doctors consulted with the Naval Medical Institute; treated re-increased blood pressure according to protocol 6, administered intravenous fluids, administered oxygen, placed a urinary catheter, administered anti-platelet therapy, and monitored the patient's general condition; and promptly reported the patient's progress.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/benh-xa-dao-song-tu-tay-dieu-tri-cho-ngu-dan-binh-thuan-bi-giam-ap-khi-lan-213361.html