Low-flying helicopter takes 3 decompressed fishermen to the mainland

Three fishermen in Truong Sa suffered from decompression sickness while diving deep to fish, and the helicopter had to fly low to avoid worsening the victims' condition.

Fishermen Nguyen Thanh Xuan (49 years old), Dang Bien (40 years old) and Dang Van Phon (27 years old), all from Binh Thuan , had an accident after diving about 10-20 meters deep at 2:30 a.m. to catch seafood. After about an hour on the fishing boat, all three showed symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, pain, numbness in limbs, and difficulty breathing, and were taken to Sinh Ton Island Infirmary in the early morning of September 5.

Military doctors initially controlled the patients' condition, consulted via Telemedicine with the Naval Medical Institute and Military Hospital 175 (HCMC). Among the fishermen, patient Xuan's condition progressed severely, with complications of respiratory failure, risk of spinal cord and central nervous system damage, life-threatening, beyond the treatment capacity of military doctors on the island, requiring emergency transport by helicopter to the mainland.

Senior Lieutenant Ta Van Bach, head of the aviation rescue team, said this was the first time three patients with decompression sickness had been transported at the same time. In particular, patient Xuan suffered damage to multiple organs such as the lungs and digestive system, and on top of his diabetes, the rescue team had to ensure his breathing, fluid replacement, electrolyte replacement, and insulin.

During the flight, Captain Do Hoang Nam and the flight crew had to ensure a safe ceiling for the patient, avoiding flying too high because the higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure, making the patient's condition worse. Flying low required the pilot to operate the controls for a longer period of time.

Helicopters transport patients from Truong Sa for treatment, morning of September 6. Photo: Provided by the hospital

On the morning of September 6, the patients arrived safely at Military Hospital 175 and are continuing treatment.

Le Phuong

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