On March 18, Song Tu Tay Island Hospital (Brigade 146, Naval Region 4) received and promptly rescued a fisherman suffering from decompression sickness due to deep diving while fishing in the Truong Sa archipelago area.
The patient is Mr. Tran Cong Thuan (43 years old, from the Ly Son Special Zone, Quang Ngai province), a diver on fishing vessel QNg 96427-TS, captained by Mr. Le Hung (47 years old, from the same hometown).
According to initial information from the captain, on March 16, the ship was fishing about 3 nautical miles south of Da Thi island when Mr. Thuan dived 6 times at a depth of 30–35m, each time lasting from 20–30 minutes.
After the last dive, the patient developed symptoms of fatigue, chest tightness, shortness of breath, weakness of both lower limbs, abdominal distension and urinary retention.
The crew members proceeded to re-extend pressure on the spot for the patient at a depth of 18m for about 2 hours (from 9 pm to 11 pm).
However, the situation did not improve. At 11:30 am on March 17, the patient was taken to Song Tu Tay Island Clinic for emergency treatment.
Through initial examination, the patient was awake but exposed slowly, with symptoms of chest tightness, abdominal distension, constipation, paralysis of both lower limbs, weak muscle strength, numbness from the epigastric region downwards. Basic vital signs were stable.
Doctors quickly deployed emergency measures such as intravenous fluids, oxygen breathing, urinary catheterization, use of antiplatelet drugs, corticosteroids and nerve function support.
After consultation with the Naval Medical Institute, the patient was diagnosed with severe acute hypotension (type 2), with nerve damage causing paralysis of both lower limbs, intestinal paralysis and urinary retention due to deep diving.
Song Tu Tay island clinic has performed re-hypertension treatment according to a professional protocol, and at the same time continues to closely monitor the patient's health developments to promptly handle arising situations.
