On March 10, Song Tu Tay Island Clinic (Truong Sa special zone) said that it had received and rescued a fisherman suffering from decompression sickness while diving to catch seafood.
Previously, on March 8, while fishing in the area about 5 nautical miles north of Song Tu Tay island, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho (54 years old, from Ninh Phuoc, Khanh Hoa) - a diver on fishing vessel QNg-96199-TS - suffered decompression due to deep diving.
According to information from the ship owner, Mr. Le Du (55 years old, from the special zone of Ly Son, Quang Ngai), on March 8, Mr. Tho dived 5 times at a depth of about 30 m, each time lasting from 30 - 45 minutes, the rest time between dives was also about 30 - 45 minutes. The diving process took place from about 6 am to 4 pm on the same day.
After the last dive, Mr. Tho developed symptoms of fatigue, chest tightness, shortness of breath, weakness of both lower limbs, bloating and urinary retention.
On March 9, the patient was brought to Song Tu Tay island clinic in a state of consciousness but slow contact, pulse 100 beats/minute, blood pressure 120/70 mmHg, temperature 36.8°C, SpO2 96%.
Through examination, doctors diagnosed the patient with severe acute hypotension (type 2) with manifestations of nerve damage causing paralysis, intestinal paralysis and urinary retention, occurring after diving 30 m deep for about 21 hours.
Immediately after that, the patient was placed in an IV line, liquid replenishment, urinary catheter placement (recorded 1.6 liters of clear yellow urine), oxygen breathing, antiplatelet drugs, corticosteroids and other support measures.
Song Tu Tay island clinic has consulted with the Naval Medical Institute to deploy re-hypertension treatment according to protocol 6, combining intravenous fluids, anti-shock, placing gastric tubes, supporting nerve conduction, pain relief and close monitoring of the patient's overall condition.
According to doctors, the patient's prognosis is still severe.
Currently, Song Tu Tay island clinic is continuing to monitor and treat, ready to handle any abnormal developments.
