On the morning of 21/7, doctor Dao Van Dai from Tuyen Quang General Hospital led a team to save a drowning victim at Nhat Le beach, Quang Tri, by performing immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The incident occurred at a restricted swimming area near a river mouth, known for dangerous currents and large waves, where official warning signs were posted.

Doctor Dai was walking along the beach when he noticed a crowd calling for help. He rushed to the scene to find two men had drowned while swimming, one in critical condition with cardiac and respiratory arrest and dilating pupils. With few lifeguards present in the early morning, and initial CPR efforts by a beach team proving ineffective, doctor Dai's professional instinct took over.

Facing a life-or-death situation, doctor Dai immediately began resuscitation efforts. "There wasn't much information, the situation unfolded in an instant", doctor Dai recalled. "I just knew I had to immediately perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and continuous chest compressions for the victim".

As doctor Dai performed first aid, he called for assistance from his colleagues who were nearby. A five-person emergency team from Tuyen Quang General Hospital quickly coordinated their efforts. One person focused on external chest compressions, while others managed bag-valve mask ventilation and intubation to support breathing. A local 115 ambulance soon arrived with specialized equipment, which the medical team utilized to maximize the victim's chance of survival.

"Even with faint hope, we persisted with cardiopulmonary resuscitation for at least 30 minutes", doctor Dai stated. "Absolutely no stopping early". After more than 10 minutes, the male tourist showed signs of circulatory recovery, with his heart beginning to beat again. He was then transferred to Vietnam – Cuba Dong Hoi Friendship Hospital, where he is currently receiving intensive care and monitoring on a ventilator.

Doctor Dai (in orange shirt) and colleagues continuously provide emergency care to the patient. *Photo: Doctor provided*

Cardiopulmonary arrest, characterized by cardiac and respiratory arrest, is the sudden interruption of the heart's pumping action, preventing blood from circulating to vital organs. Without immediate intervention, this condition can rapidly lead to death. The primary goal of emergency resuscitation is to restore breathing and heart function, preventing brain damage and subsequent complications to other body parts. Patients experiencing circulatory arrest face a critical lack of oxygen-rich blood to their organs, which can result in death or permanent brain damage within minutes. Doctor Dai emphasized that the "golden time" to save a drowning victim is measured in minutes, and early detection and prompt, correct first aid are crucial for the victim's survival and neurological recovery.

Doctor Dai advised the public on essential steps to take when encountering a drowning victim: * Safely remove the victim from the water. * Immediately call 115. * Check for consciousness, breathing, and pulse. * If the victim is not breathing or has no pulse, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) following a cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths. * Persist with CPR continuously for at least 30 minutes, or until professional medical personnel arrive to take over.

It is crucial not to waste valuable time by inverting the victim, carrying them over a shoulder, rolling them, or attempting to press water out of their stomach. These methods are ineffective in expelling water from the lungs and can instead delay critical resuscitation, increasing the risk of fluid aspiration into the airway. After initial resuscitation, the victim must be transported to a hospital for thorough examination, as respiratory failure or late-onset acute pulmonary edema can still occur many hours later.

Thuy An