Drowning by Total Immersion

Abstract

DEATH by drowning is one of the major causes of childhood mortality. Studies of the mechanisms of drowning have demonstrated that two types of death may occur.¹Asphyxia without fluid aspiration is responsible for less than 10% of drowning deaths, but fluid aspiration occurs in about 80% to 90% of drowning victims.² The pathophysiological changes which occur during drowning with fluid aspiration depend upon both the composition and volume of fluid aspirated.^3-5The most consistent finding in studies of drowning by aspiration of fluid is acute asphyxia with persistent arterial hypoxemia.^3-7This suggests that alveolar capillary membrane derangement occurs. This study was designed to see the effects of drowning by total immersion in distilled water, distilled water with chlorine, isotonic saline, and sea water on extracts of the alveolar lining layer (pulmonary surfactant). <h3>Methods</h3> Twenty mongrel dogs weighing 16 to 29 kg and in good physical