Abstract

PALOMO RANDO, J.L.; RAMOS MEDINA, V.; CALVO LOPEZ, M.A.  and  SANTOS AMAYA, I.M.. Death due to drowning by shallow water blackout. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2014, vol.20, n.2-3, pp.115-118. ISSN 1988-611X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1135-76062014000200007.

We report a case of drowning due to shallow water blackout. This happens when divers deliberately hyperventilate and then enters the water to see how long they can stay submerged or how far they can swim underwater. In this situation the PaO2 may fall to a level sufficient to cause loss of consciousness before de PaCO2 has risen enough to trigger ventilation. Once they lose consciousness they drive to breathe and inhale water, thus initiating the drowning process.

Keywords : Shallow water blackout; Breath holding dive; Swimming underwater; Hyperventilation hypocapnia; Hypoxia; Drowning.

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