1 Physiology Of Drowning: A Review Joost J.L.M. Bierens MD PhD MCPM Maatschappij tot Redding van Drenkelingen PO Box 114, 1012LB Amsterdam, The Netherlands e-mail:
[email protected] Philippe Lunetta MD PhD Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Turku Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20014, Turku e-mail:
[email protected] Mike Tipton PhD Extreme Environments Laboratory, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth Spinnaker Building, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth P01 2ER, UK e-mail:
[email protected] David S. Warner MD Departments of Anesthesiology, Neurobiology and Surgery Duke University Medical Center PO Box 094, Durham, NC 27710, USA e-mail:
[email protected] 2 Abstract Drowning physiology relates to two different events: immersion (upper airway above water) and submersion (upper airway underwater). Immersion involves integrated cardiorespiratory responses to skin and deep body temperature, including cold shock, physical incapacitation, and hypovolemia as precursors of collapse and submersion. The physiology of submersion includes fear of drowning, diving response, autonomic conflict, upper airway reflexes, water aspiration and swallowing, emesis, and electrolyte disorders. Submersion outcome is determined by cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological injury. Knowledge of drowning physiology is scarce. Better understanding may identify methods to improve survival, particularly related to hot water immersion, cold shock, cold-induced physical incapacitation, and fear of drowning. 3 Abbreviations BP blood pressure CA cardiac arrest CNS central nervous system CT computerized tomography CBF cerebral blood flow HR heart rate HWI hot-water immersion LOC loss of consciousness SCPG swallowing central pattern generator VF ventricular fibrillation WHO World Health Organization Summary This review demonstrates that the current understanding of the pathophysiologic responses that may occur during drowning by immersion or submersion is limited.