Data Center
This Data Center exists as an information hub for the latest news and findings around Underwater Hypoxic Blackouts / shallow water blackouts. If you have information that should be added, please reach out to britt@uhbp.org
Hypoxic Blackouts / Shallow Water Blackouts
- What is an Underwater Hypoxic Blackout?
- 2023: The fatal effect of underwater breath-holding exercises: a recent trend observed in the Northern Territory of Australia
- 1/30/23: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554620/
- 9/25/2016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9487220/
- 8/1/2015: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1330&context=ijare
- 2015: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1330&context=ijare
- 2012: http://www.aquaticsafetygroup.com/images/Graphics/ABC%20for%20SWB.pdf
- How to prevent a blackout?
- Coroner Reports
- Effects of Hyperventilation
- 7/27/2023: https://www.khon2.com/local-news/hyperventilation-can-lead-to-early-underwater-blackouts/
- 4/15/2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37060440/
- 4/1/2018: Drowning deaths in Australia caused by hypoxic blackout, 2002-2015
- 1/2012: Drowning
- 2010: A Call for Standards on Perioperative CO2 Regulation
Organization Statements
- International Lifesaving Federation
- Red Cross
- 11/22: https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/scientific-advisory-council/2022%20Hypoxic%20Blackout%20-%20Joint%20Statement%20-%20Red%20Cross%20Y%20USA%20Swimming%2010-31-2022.pdf
- 4/1/19: Red Cross YouTube video on Difference between Hypoxic Blackout and Shallow Water Blackout
- USA Swimming
- National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA)
- Centers for Disease Control
- Naval Safety Center
- Australian Institute of Sport
- Lifesaving Society: The Lifeguard Experts
Prevention Efforts
- By YMCA
- Redwoods Group
- https://redwoodsgroup.com/resources/breath-holding-and-shallow-water-blackout/
- https://redwoodsgroup.com/resources/victim-recognition-medical-events-shallow-water-blackout/
- https://redwoodsgroup.com/resources/in-service-training-extended-breath-holding/
- https://redwoodsgroup.com/wp-content/microlearning-upload/preventing-breath-holding/#/lessons/qr7_fXn4urGfo5Gom7MCs–F5lyV5Qky
- See paragraph 11: https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/182/1-2/1471/4099822
- City of Staten Island & New York City
- City of Santa Barbara
- State of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin State Legislature
- Look in section ATCP 76.29 Posting pool rules.
- Wisconsin State Legislature
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
- University of Florida College of Medicine
- Royal Life Saving Australia
- Professional Safety
- 9/2012: Safety Sign
Lawsuits
- Current: https://unicourt.com/case/ca-la23-raphael-metzger-vs-wim-hof-et-al-951604?init_S=st_ftrd
- You can read Maddie’s story here and find out more about the lawsuit at this link.
- 2/14/17: https://www.silive.com/news/2017/02/lyons_pool_death_settlement.html
- 2008: https://www.clubindustry.com/nonprofits/long-island-ymca-settles-suit-over-lifeguard-drowning
Underwater Sports
- Underwaters
- Wim Hof Method
- Synchronized Swimming
- Freediving/Spearfishing
- 7/23/23: https://www.kitv.com/news/local/two-freedivers-pronounced-dead-sunday-morning-after-incident-on-oahus-north-shore/article_ab679244-29b6-11ee-a7f2-837603e68d81.html
- 7/18/23: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-places-to-freedive-taiwan
- 6/5/23: https://www.boholchronicle.com.ph/2023/06/04/safety-in-freediving-enhancing-adventure-while-minimizing-risks/
- 5/20/22: https://www.deeperblue.com/avoiding-black-outs-hypoxic-fits/
- 5/1/19: https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/freediving-safety/
- 6/17/17: https://immersionfreediving.com/blackout/
- 2015: Shallow-water blackout. Case report: death while free diving
- 6/15/2014: Diving Medicine
- 1/1/2009: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.90991.2008?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org
- Underwater Hockey
- Articles relating to underwater sports
Studies – Past & Present
- Safe Underwater Breathing (SUB) Research Group
- First Evaluation of a Newly Constructed Underwater Pulse Oximeter for Use in Breath-Holding Activities
- Using Underwater Pulse Oximetry in Freediving to Extreme Depths to Study Risk of Hypoxic Blackout and Diving Response Phases
- When the Brain Goes Diving
- Unlocking the depths: multiple factors contribute to risk for hypoxic blackout during deep freediving
- Application of Near-infrared Spectroscopy in Human Elite Freedivers while Deepdiving on a Single Breath Hold
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Military Medicine
- Aquatics Safety Research Group by Drs. Tom and Rachel Griffiths
- Redwoods Group
- 2016: WAHC Study Poster
In Recent News
- 9/9/23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7px8x7sRouc
- 8/15/23: https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/lynxight-explain-role-of-ai-systems-in-aiding-water-safety/
- 6/19/23: https://www.ocregister.com/2023/06/19/summer-warning-prolonged-breath-holds-can-cause-shallow-water-blackouts/
- 5/29/23: https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/shallow-water-blackout-poses-a-silent-and-undetected-risk-for-swimmers-178139717784
- 1/12/23: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/01/12/shallow-water-blackout-what-it-how-does-happen/10981231002/
- 8/31/22: https://www.wusa9.com/article/features/producers-picks/shallow-water-blackout-drowning-dont-hold-your-breath-swimming/65-b8ed4639-d136-4c05-9937-a892bc31afa6
Incident Tracking Sheet
**This sheet contains many of the blackouts/drownings that we have been made aware of, some confirmed and some unconfirmed. If you have an incident that should be added please reach out to us at admin@shallowwaterblackoutprevention.org