Fisherman Le Quang Minh from the central Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh has experienced the challenges doctors faced to save him on islands in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.
He went through a near-death situation on the open sea and admits that he could have lost his life.
The 26-year-old fisherman received Tuoi Tre (Youth) journalists at his home in Hoai Hai Commune of Hoai Nhon District last month and recalled what he had been through four months before.
Despite nearly recovering, Minh can now only speak in a low voice and do light work.