Rescue of fishermen suffering from decompression after diving 20m deep for 2 hours in Truong Sa

On May 20, Truong Sa Town Medical Center informed that it had just received and promptly provided emergency aid to a fisherman from Binh Thuan province who suffered from decompression sickness in the waters of Truong Sa archipelago.

The victim was taken to the ambulance. Photo: Han Ny

Accordingly, at 2:30 a.m. the same day (May 20), Truong Sa Town Medical Center received a patient transferred from Da Tay A Island Infirmary due to deep diving while exploiting seafood in the northern area, 4 nautical miles from Da Tay Island.

The patient is Mr. Nguyen Dinh Diem (born in 1999; in Ham Thuan Nam district, Binh Thuan ), a crew member of fishing boat BTh 97986TS, captained by Mr. Do Van Tham (born in 1972; in Phu Quy district, Binh Thuan).

According to initial information, the patient dived at a depth of about 20m from 0:00 to 2:00 on May 19.

After surfacing for about 10 minutes, Mr. Diem began to have chest and abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, muscle pain in all four limbs, and spots under the skin, and needed oxygen from the canoe.

Mr. Diem was taken to Da Tay A Island Infirmary (Truong Sa town) for emergency treatment at 7:10 a.m. the same day. Da Tay A Island Infirmary treated the patient, giving him high-flow oxygen, intravenous fluids, pain relief, corticosteroids, and antiplatelet agents.

Patients are given emergency treatment in the infirmary. Photo: Han Ny

At 2:30 a.m. on May 20, the patient was transferred to Truong Sa Town Medical Center; in a conscious state, able to communicate, pain in the chest and abdominal wall, paralysis of both legs, muscle strength 4/5, decreased sensation from the groin folds on both sides down, difficulty urinating, difficulty breathing...

After receiving the patient, Truong Sa Town Medical Center reported to superiors and conducted an examination.

Doctors and nurses performed oxygen therapy, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, pain relievers, fluid replacement and consulted with Military Hospital 175 ; the prognosis was very serious, with a risk of progressive paralysis, respiratory failure, and circulatory failure.

Currently, Truong Sa Town Medical Center is treating the patient according to the protocol of the consultation conclusion with Military Hospital 175; at the same time, it is proposed to transport the patient to shore by helicopter for continued treatment.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cuu-nan-ngu-dan-bi-giam-ap-sau-khi-lan-sau-20m-trong-2-gio-o-truong-sa-702858.html