What is shallow water blackout

Having an eliteclubs. Holding your breath underwater for a prolonged period of time can be deadly. Learn how shallow water blackout occurs so you can prevent it from happening to you, your child, or other swimmers around you.

SWB can affect any type of swimmer that is holding their breath continuously. A swimmer is especially at risk when intentional or unintentional hyperventilation occurs before breath-holding. SWB can occur to both children and adults. If you are lap swimming, give yourself an adequate amount of time to catch your breath.

Always keep a close eye on your children in and around water. Swim lessons will teach them water safety skills and proper swimming techniques. Cenia has a B. Your email address will not be published. But unfortunately, being a strong swimmer is not always enough. Few are aware of the drowning risk from Shallow Water Blackout SWB , but it typically affects strong swimmers and the physically fit.

Because Shallow Water Blackout occurs with no warning, the result is almost always fatal when the victim is in the water. So what is SWB? What triggers the body to take in air is high CO2, not low O2 like most think. The YMCA had prohibited underwater breath holding, but did not actively enforce the rule.

Hypoxic blackout is a loss of consciousness caused by a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain. It is often related to hyperventilation, which is a series of long deep breaths designed to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Hyperventilation is a dangerous technique often used by competitive swimmers and divers in order to hold their breath longer. Without the appropriate levels of carbon dioxide, the body fails to recognize the need for oxygen as it traditionally does. This condition is called hypocapnia. The table to the right illustrates how individuals who hyperventilate develop hypocapnia and reach the blackout zone before experiencing the normal urge to breathe.

Hypoxic blackouts are especially dangerous because an individual simply loses consciousness and can drown without any sign of a struggle. In some cases, an individual experiencing a hypoxic blackout will appear to be making coordinated movements because their body may continue to function temporarily.

This phenomenon is particularly dangerous because a lifeguard may assume the individual is conscious. Hypoxic blackouts can affect anyone at anytime.

Victims typically have no prior medical problems, are physically fit, and give no warning.