How common are shallow water blackouts?
Shallow water blackout (SWB) is what is called a “rare but serious” event. There are only a handful of documented SWB events each year, but they often result in death. It is more common in elite or highly motivated swimmers, usually training for an event. The victim of hypoxic blackout may have been seen to be hyperventilating before the dive, and typically the blackout will have occurred some time after immersion, often without surfacing, and usually close to the surface. The victim is subsequently found unconscious or dead at the bottom of the water.Hypoxic blackout is defined as “the loss of consciousness in the underwater swimmer or diver, during an apnea submersion preceded by hyperventilation, where alternative causes of unconsciousness have been excluded. Shallow water blackout has the potential to affect anyone in the water, even fit and experienced .The Golden Rule: Never Dive Alone One of the biggest take-home messages we are informed of is “never dive alone. Shallow water blackout is a potentially fatal outcome while freediving, and if you don’t have a buddy to rescue you, the event will likely end in death.Hypoxic blackout, also known as ‘shallow water blackout’, happens when loss of consciousness occurs underwater due to a lack of oxygen. This is often due to breathholding or purposeful hyperventilation before going underwater. Hyperventilation is overbreathing.
How long does it take to shallow water blackout?
Normally, drowning can take 5-10 minutes depending on a variety of factors. Shallow Water Blackout is faster. Within 2 minutes, you could experience brain death. Within 3 minutes underwater, most people lose consciousness.
How to avoid shallow water blackouts?
How To Prevent Shallow Water Blackout? Never Swim Alone Above all else, it is vital that you dive with a competent buddy who watches you throughout your entire dive. Diving with a buddy who knows what to do and has drilled it is probably the most important thing you can do for ensuring your safety. The Rules of Scuba Diving: Never Hold Your Breath. Plan Your Dive. Dive Within Your Limits. Ascend Slowly (and Don’t Forget Your Safety Stop) Check Your Gear.
What to do after a shallow water blackout?
Get victim to land or boat ASAP, manage ABCDs (airway-breathing-circulation-deadly bleeding), start CPR with O2, 30 compression to 2 ventilations, as needed. If evacuation from water is prolonged, monitor Airway & Breathing and provide rescue breathing (1 breath every 5 sec. CPR with rescue breaths vital to resuscitation after drowning, new guidelines say. All people who are pulled from the water after drowning should receive CPR with rescue breaths and chest compressions, according to updated guidance from the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.