Diver dies, another critical after deep sea dive in central Vietnam

The men were identified as P.V.L., aged 45, and P.V.Q., aged 54, both residents of Nam Trach Commune in Quang Tri, according to the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Dong Hoi Hospital.

Family members said the pair returned from a dive on Monday. 

About two hours later, both began showing symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, and skin discoloration before being rushed to the hospital.

Doctors said L. arrived conscious but with serious symptoms, including widespread cyanosis, respiratory distress, and abdominal pain. 

Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, he went into cardiac arrest and died.

Q. was admitted with milder symptoms and was later transferred to the Vietnam National Institute of Maritime Medicine in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Nguyen Dai Viet Duc, head of the hospital's intensive care and anti-poison department, confirmed that both men suffered from decompression sickness, which occurs when divers ascend too quickly. 

This condition causes nitrogen bubbles to form in the bloodstream and body tissues, leading to blockages and cellular damage.