What happens during drowning?
In drowning, the oxygen supply is interrupted, so that one ultimately suffocates. Drowning is defined as ultimately suffocating:
In the lungs of a drowning person, the red blood cells (erythrocytes) can no longer be loaded with oxygen. The longer the oxygen supply is cut off, the more cells in the body die, so that death occurs after just a few minutes.
Breath block due to natural protective reflex
The glottis spasm may persist, for example, if the patient is unconscious. However, it usually resolves itself within seconds.
Primary drowning & secondary drowning
Depending on the length of time until drowning death occurs, a distinction is made between primary and secondary drowning:
Primary drowning occurs when the inhalation of fluid causes a lack of oxygen that leads to death within 24 hours.
In addition, the water that has penetrated the lungs can destroy the fine alveoli that are responsible for the exchange of gases in the lungs, so that the victims can suffocate long after they have been rescued. In this case, secondary drowning shows similar symptoms to primary drowning: shortness of breath and the death of cells caused by the lack of oxygen, leading to death.
Wet drowning & dry drowning
In the vast majority of drowning deaths, wet drowning is present: The glottis spasm releases after a short time, so that the respiratory blockage falls away. The drowning victim then reflexively tries to catch his breath – even underwater, inhaling water into his lungs. The resulting lack of oxygen ultimately leads to death.
Silent drowning
Death by drowning is a silent death. Only in movies or books do drowning victims thrash about wildly, kicking their legs and screaming loudly for help. The reality is different: Since a drowning person cannot breathe due to the glottal spasm, he is also unable to draw attention to himself by screaming.
Near drowning
A drowning victim who is rescued in time and thus saved from death is referred to as near drowning. In such cases, it is recommended to stay in hospital for at least 24 hours in order to observe any consequential damage that may lead to secondary drowning (see above).
Differentiation: Internal drowning
How long does drowning last?
How long a person survives without oxygen depends on various factors, for example:
- Body weight and size: the less mass you have, the less oxygen your body needs.
- Physical fitness: Trained people can survive longer without oxygen than untrained people.
However, even the most trained diver or competitive athlete cannot manage much longer than ten minutes without oxygen.
Drowning: First aid
Every second counts in a drowning accident. These first aid measures are recommended by experts:
- First and foremost, notify the rescue services by dialing 112.
- Throw the drowning victim an object to hold on to (for example, a life preserver or a ball).
- If you are rescuing yourself: Approach the drowning victim from behind and grab him under the armpits. Swim ashore with him in the supine position. Caution: Always anticipate that the drowning person will try to hold on to you and push you underwater in the process!
On first aid measures on land:
- Check if the victim is breathing.
- If the victim is breathing, place him in the recovery position (this is how it is done for adults and this is how it is done for children).
