What is shallow water blackout according to Professor Mike Tipton?

Shallow water blackout occurs during breath-hold diving when returning to the surface, causing oxygen levels to drop and potentially leading to unconsciousness.

How did Professor Andrew Baker's son George experience hypoxic blackout?

George experienced hypoxic blackout after hyperventilating and holding his breath to dive underwater in a pool.

What are the report's recommendations for pool swimming safety?

The report advises warning pool users about breath-holding dangers and permitting extended breath-holding only in organized, supervised sessions.

Home / Health / Drowning Danger: Experts Warn of Silent Water Blackout

Drowning Danger: Experts Warn of Silent Water Blackout

18 Dec

•

Summary

Shallow water blackout can affect anyone, even fit individuals.
Hyperventilating before breath-holding drastically increases risk.
Report co-authors share personal tragedies to raise awareness.

Drowning Danger: Experts Warn of Silent Water Blackout

A new report, 'The Physiology Of Survival: Breath Hold Shallow Water Diving,' is being released to highlight the risks of shallow water blackout (SWB) and hypoxic blackout (HB). Co-authored by scientists who have experienced the tragedy of near-fatal incidents, the report aims to educate the public about how anyone, regardless of fitness, can lose consciousness underwater.

Professor Andrew Baker and Professor Hugh Montgomery initiated the report after personal tragedies. Baker's son George survived a hypoxic blackout in July 2022, while Montgomery's son Oscar tragically died snorkeling in 2020. Their shared experiences underscore the critical need for greater awareness regarding these often-misunderstood dangers.

The report explains that HB occurs during breath-hold swimming when rapid oxygen depletion leads to unconsciousness, and SWB happens during breath-hold diving as pressure changes near the surface cause oxygen levels to drop. Hyperventilating is identified as a significant risk factor, delaying the urge to breathe and increasing the likelihood of drowning.