![]() Those most at risk for hypoxic blackouts are novice divers going to moderate depths. Drowning that happens with previously fit and asymptomatic swimmers usually occurs during breath-holding training, competition races, and endurance underwater swimming and diving. While trained breath holders can survive submerged for more than 6 minutes, they are still at risk for drowning. ![]() This situation becomes particularly dangerous when there is little rest in between prolonged breath-holding attempts. Most hypoxic events occur when people attempt prolonged breath-holding and push past their safety threshold. ![]() It is very rare for people to be able to hold their breath for much longer without specialized training or preparation. The average person can hold their breath for between 30 to 90 seconds. It generally stems from poor situational awareness, inadequate safety measures, and poor technique. The underlying cause of hypoxic blackouts is usually multifactorial. Preventive measures through an increased understanding of hypoxic blackouts are crucial to prevent tragic and unnecessary deaths. Some people survive such an event as a result of prompt and effective rescue efforts. This condition can occur in any body of water, no matter the depth. 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 swimmers. swimming have since redefined the term as a hypoxic blackout. This language can be misleading as drowning can occur at depths greater than 5 m as well. Other terms used to describe this syndrome include: “underwater blackout,” “underwater blackout syndrome,” “sudden underwater blackout syndrome (SUBS),” “breath-holding blackout,” and “free-diver blackout.” Shallow water blackout means unconsciousness in water typically less than 15 feet (5 m) either due to equipment failure or prolonged breath-holding. The term shallow water backout has been commonly used as a term for drowning, particularly when preceded by hyperventilation.
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