On 15/12/2024, Doctor Dinh Tan Phuong, Head of the Emergency Department at Children's Hospital 1, announced that the patient died early that morning from irreversible brain damage and multiple organ failure. The child had been transferred from Cu Chi Hospital in a deep coma, with dilated pupils, requiring mechanical ventilation and maximum dose vasopressors. Tests indicated severe damage to the brain, liver, and kidneys due to prolonged oxygen deprivation.

The incident occurred at noon on 13/12/2024 at a tourist resort in Long An. The victim and a group of friends entered a swimming pool approximately 40 cm deep, where a lifeguard was on duty. About 15 minutes later, another student found the child face down in the water, unresponsive. Adults immediately pulled the victim ashore; she was cyanotic and in cardiac and respiratory arrest. After receiving cardiac compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on site, the child was taken to a nearby clinic before being transferred to Cu Chi Hospital. There, doctors resuscitated her for over 30 minutes, administering 7 doses of Adrenalin before her heartbeat resumed, and she was then transferred to a higher-level hospital.

Doctors provide resuscitation for a patient. Photo: Quynh Tran

According to Doctor Phuong, Children's Hospital 1 has received two drowning fatalities in swimming pools within the past month. Both children were of primary school age and drowned in shallow pools, despite adult and lifeguard supervision.

"Both cases involved drowning in water not exceeding the children's heads, highlighting the critical importance of water safety skills and the ability to surface after a fall. These should be taught alongside swimming lessons," Doctor Phuong stated. He also advised that children with medical histories such as seizures, especially epilepsy, should not participate in swimming activities without close medical supervision.

Regarding first aid, Doctor Phuong emphasized the crucial role of pool staff in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The golden rule is to provide emergency care within the first 4 minutes of cardiac and respiratory arrest. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for over 10 minutes, the chance of recovery is almost zero. First responders should prioritize immediate cardiac compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, strictly avoiding methods like shaking or rolling to expel water, which waste valuable time.

Statistics show that Vietnam currently has the highest rate of child drowning fatalities in Southeast Asia, with over 3,000 children and adolescents dying each year.

Le Phuong