On 14/1, Doctor Pham Van Phuc, Deputy Director of the Intensive Care Center at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, stated that the boy was admitted in a deep coma with severe respiratory failure. Earlier, he had been fishing and slipped, falling into a lake. When his family found him, the victim was cyanotic and completely unresponsive. Residents immediately performed chest compressions for about 5 minutes, which helped the child's heartbeat return before he was transferred for emergency care.
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Doctors examine the patient. *Photo: Hospital provided*
At the hospital, doctors determined the patient faced a risk of permanent brain damage and had a very low chance of survival due to the unknown duration of cardiac arrest. The medical team quickly implemented advanced resuscitation measures, including intubation, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and temperature control.
After 72 hours of intensive treatment, doctors reduced sedation to assess the boy's consciousness. The patient responded well, showing significant improvement in awareness. By the fourth day, the student was fully conscious, recognized his family members, and had no recorded neurological sequelae.
Doctor Phuc emphasized that the immediate on-site chest compressions by residents were the key factor in saving the patient's life. The human brain can only withstand oxygen deprivation for 4-5 minutes; beyond this period, nerve cells suffer irreversible damage. Correct first aid during this critical window helps maintain blood flow to the brain, which is crucial for the victim's survival and future quality of life.
Experts recommend close supervision of children, especially during holidays, as drowning accidents often occur rapidly in familiar ponds, lakes, and streams. If a drowning victim stops breathing and has a cardiac arrest, residents should immediately perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while calling for medical assistance. It is crucial not to delay initial first aid by attempting to transport the victim a long distance.
Thuy An
