Timely rescue of forest ranger suffering from suffocation and heat shock while fighting forest fire in Nghe An

At around 11:00 a.m. today, August 12, when the forest fire in Thien Nhan commune was getting complicated, comrade Tran Duc Tuan - Deputy Captain of Mobile Forest Ranger and Forest Fire Prevention and Fighting Team No. 2 suddenly suffered from suffocation and heat shock due to the extremely hot weather, combined with high intensity work, fighting the fire for a long time.

At this time, the fire was still spreading, the smoke was thick, and the steep mountainous terrain made it difficult to bring the victim down to the foot of the mountain for emergency treatment.

Upon receiving the news, doctor Nguyen Van Phu (born in 1977, working at Thien Nhan Commune Health Station) immediately set off with nurse Nguyen Thi An. Despite the sweltering heat and dangerous mountain roads, Mr. Phu affirmed: "If we don't go immediately, Mr. Tuan will have a hard time surviving, we must get to the scene as soon as possible...".

The journey from the foot of the mountain to the victim's location took nearly an hour, due to the steep slope and dense vegetation. When approaching the scene, Mr. Phu saw comrade Tuan pale, with his limbs convulsed, in critical condition. Unable to move the victim down the mountain, Mr. Phu quickly set up a makeshift first aid station right at the top of the mountain.

Here, Mr. Phu immediately placed an IV line, rehydrated and replenished minerals through 2 IV bottles, and at the same time, performed acupressure, measured blood pressure, and coordinated with the local forces to take care of Mr. Tuan. After about 30 minutes of first aid, comrade Tuan gradually regained consciousness. At 2:00 p.m., after seeing that the situation was stable, the rescue team helped the victim down the mountain safely and took him to a medical facility for further monitoring.

Doctor Nguyen Van Phu shared: Luckily, when the incident happened, the "4 on-site" force promptly provided first aid and performed external cardiac compressions, so Mr. Tuan was able to breathe again. If it had been a few minutes later, it would have been difficult to save his life. When I received him, he was still very weak, his limbs were cramped, so first aid had to be given immediately.

It is known that on August 12, a forest fire broke out in Hamlet 11, Thien Nhan Commune. Thien Nhan Commune authorities mobilized more than 300 people, including local military forces, militia, forest rangers, police and local residents, along with on-site firefighting equipment and vehicles, to participate in extinguishing the fire and saving the forest. By 7:00 p.m. on August 12, the fire was basically under control, however, forces continued to be on duty to prevent the fire from returning.

The incident in Thien Nhan commune has shown that forest fire prevention and fighting in extreme weather conditions is fraught with risks, directly threatening the health and lives of the participating forces. At the same time, this is also a vivid demonstration of the bravery and responsibility of the local rangers and medical staff, ready to overcome danger to protect the forest and save their comrades.