Vietnam rescues foreign sailor at risk of heart attack at sea

The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, under the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, dispatched specialized rescue vessel SAR 272 to assist the sailor aboard the cargo ship Demeter Leader, which was sailing from Japan to Singapore through Vietnamese waters, local media reported.

The center received an emergency call from the vessel at 9:20 am on Friday.

The crew member was suffering from severe and persistent chest pain on the left side, accompanied by shortness of breath and a headache.

He also required oxygen support.

Medical experts from International SOS assessed the patient as potentially suffering from acute coronary syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to a heart attack and become life-threatening without immediate specialist treatment.

The cargo ship's captain subsequently requested urgent assistance from Vietnamese authorities to bring the patient ashore.

After receiving the request, the rescue center coordinated with Vietnam's coastal communication network and provided remote medical guidance to the crew, helping them administer first aid and stabilize the patient's condition while rescue forces were mobilized.

Following instructions from the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, the rescue vessel SAR 272, stationed in Ho Chi Minh City, departed immediately with two doctors on board.

At 3:21 am on Saturday, the rescue vessel brought the patient to the center's port in Ho Chi Minh City.

He was then transferred to a hospital for further treatment.