A 13-year-old boy in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam was revived after experiencing 30 minutes of respiratory and cardiac arrest due to a lightning strike a few days ago.

On Tuesday, Dong Nai Children’s Hospital reported that the boy, who was struck by lightning last Thursday, was initially rushed to the provincial General Hospital with dilated pupils and both respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Doctors administered continuous electric shocks and antiarrhythmic drugs, successfully restoring the boy’s heartbeat and stabilizing his blood pressure within 15 minutes.

He was then transferred to Dong Nai Children’s Hospital for further treatment.

Despite being on a ventilator and receiving antiarrhythmic drugs, the boy remained in a deep coma.

Concerned about potential brain damage, doctors employed therapeutic hypothermia to minimize the damage and reduce complications.

Three days later, his condition improved significantly.

Nguyen Trong Nghia, deputy head of Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, noted that after nearly a week of treatment, the boy’s health had stabilized, and his survival prospects were positive.

"The patient was fortunate as the lightning only grazed his shoulder. Although the strike caused him to go into respiratory arrest for 30 minutes, he was saved in time," Dr. Nghia explained.

How to avoid lightning

Doctors advise residents to minimize outdoor activities during the rainy season when lightning and thunderstorms are frequent.

They recommend seeking shelter and avoiding open areas when lightning is nearby.

Residents should avoid standing under large trees or near power poles during storms.

It is advised not to use electronic devices and to turn off electrical appliances during lightning strikes.

For those caught outside, it is safer to move to a low-lying area, stand on tiptoe or sit down, and cover their ears with their hands to reduce the risk of injury from lightning.

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