July 01, 2026 | 16:01 (GMT+7)
Song Tu Tay Island Infirmary saves life of fisherman
PANO - On June 30, in Truong Sa (Spratly) special zone, Khanh Hoa province, the Infirmary of Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay) Island (Brigade 146, Naval Region 4) received and provided emergency treatment to fisherman Nguyen Van Lau, aged 45, a diver aboard fishing vessel QNg-96389-TS, who suffered from severe decompression sickness while deep-sea diving for seafood.
According to the vessel's captain and crew-members, on June 28, Lau completed two dives to a depth of approximately 40 meters. His first dive lasted from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. After surfacing, he remained on the surface for about 30 minutes and showed no abnormal symptoms. During his second dive, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., he began experiencing fatigue, numbness in his arms and legs, and difficulty with bowel and bladder function approximately 30 minutes after resurfacing.
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Medical staff receiving the patient |
The crew administered three sessions of on-site recompression treatment, each lasting about one hour, but the patient's condition did not improve. At 10:20 a.m. on June 30, he was transported to the Song Tu Tay Island Infirmary for emergency care.
Following a medical consultation, the infirmary's physicians diagnosed the patient with severe acute decompression sickness (Type II).
Immediately after admission, the military medical team initiated treatment in accordance with established medical protocols and closely monitored the patient's overall condition. According to the attending physicians, this is a severe case of decompression sickness involving spinal cord injury, with a high risk of permanent neurological complications if not treated promptly.
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Giving medical examinations and treatment to the patient |
The patient is currently receiving intensive treatment and remains under close observation for neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular status, as well as his response to hyperbaric recompression therapy. His prognosis remains serious.
Translated by Song Anh