On a weekend family vacation at a resort in Soc Son, doctor Quynh Huong, a specialist at Bach Mai Hospital's Center for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, witnessed a boy being pulled from a swimming pool. The child appeared blue and unresponsive.
"My first instinct was to provide immediate emergency care," doctor Huong recounted. "I only thought about acting as quickly as possible to save the child."
She quickly assessed the child was not breathing and unresponsive. Without hesitation, the doctor immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) following the C-A-B protocol: chest compressions, airway clearance, and rescue breaths, tailored for young children. In the urgent situation, her actions were almost reflexive. "There was no time to recall theory," she stated. "The emergency steps had become professional instinct."
After about 2 minutes of continuous chest compressions and rescue breaths, the boy showed signs of recovery. While providing aid, she instructed bystanders to call for medical assistance, ensuring the child's transfer to a specialized facility for ongoing care. Prompt intervention during the "golden window" of the initial minutes is vital, restoring oxygen to the brain and heart swiftly and minimizing potential damage. The child's condition is now stable.
The doctor emphasized that saving the boy was not a random miracle but the direct result of systematic training and regular practice in circulatory arrest emergencies. "The training courses helped me develop emergency reflexes for urgent situations, even outside the hospital," she shared.
According to doctor Huong, Bach Mai Hospital prioritizes emergency training for all medical staff. Beyond theoretical knowledge, doctors and nurses undergo regular training, practice on models, and pass rigorous assessments. This continuous education helps medical personnel maintain composure and precision in critical situations, both within the hospital and in the community.
Based on this experience, doctor Huong recommends that service facilities, particularly resorts and swimming pools, train their staff in first aid and equip themselves with necessary on-site emergency equipment. Furthermore, she advises families to proactively learn basic first aid skills: recognizing respiratory arrest in children, calling for help, and performing pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
"This knowledge is simple yet can determine a child's life in the initial minutes," doctor Huong stated. "Accidents can happen at any time, but with prevention and first aid skills, adults can minimize tragic outcomes."
Professor Doctor Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, stated that resuscitation training is a core competency, extending beyond resuscitation or emergency specialties. Emphasizing "emergency care as a vital skill," the hospital launched a large-scale circulatory arrest emergency training program for all medical staff.
From 5/2025 to 9/2025, over 4,400 staff members underwent training across 30 continuous classes. Each course included six sessions: two theoretical and four practical. Participants completed an online theoretical exam and a practical exam on models. The practical assessment required meeting five criteria: correct hand placement, appropriate chest compression depth, proper hand release technique, correct compression frequency, and effective bag-mask ventilation. Only those who met all five criteria received certification.
Le Nga
