Late on January 26, Song Tu Tay Island Hospital (Brigade 146, Naval Region 4) received and promptly rescued a fisherman with acute decompression disease with severe severity during seafood exploitation in the Truong Sa archipelago area.
The patient is Pham Van Thang (39 years old, residing in Quang Ngai province), a divers on fishing boat QNg 90789 TS, captained by Mr. Vo Bach Khoa (41 years old). The boat departed from Hon Ro port (Khanh Hoa) on January 21, 2026.
On January 25, 2026, when the ship was operating about 2 nautical miles southeast of Da Nam Island, Mr. Thang dived 3 times, each time for about 1 hour, at a depth of about 32m. After each dive, he rested on the ship for about 1 hour and 30 minutes and then continued to dive.
At about 3 am on January 26, Mr. Thang showed symptoms of fatigue, weakness of the lower limbs, and abdominal distension.
At 10 am on the same day, the patient relapsed into fatigue, weakness of the lower limbs, abdominal distension, and chest tightness.
At 8 pm on January 26, the patient was taken to Song Tu Tay Island Hospital in a state of alertness, exposed but chest tightness, shortness of breath, abdominal distension, paralysis of both lower limbs, and urinary retention.
Immediately after receiving the information, the commander of Song Tu Tay island directed the Hospital to proactively prepare forces and vehicles, quickly receive and organize examinations.
Song Tu Tay island clinic has consulted the Naval Medical Institute, agreeing to treat rehypertension according to protocol 6, combining intravenous fluids, oxygen breathing, shock management, placing urinary and gastric probes, using antiplatelet drugs, corticosteroids, increased neurotransmission, pain relief and close monitoring of developments.
Doctors assessed the patient's prognosis as severe.
Currently, doctors and nurses of Song Tu Tay Island Hospital are continuing to closely monitor and be ready to implement further treatment measures to ensure the safety of fishermen's lives.
