tonka97
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- I'm a Fish!
Female diver in Scotland drowns during OW training 8/18/2010
Female diver died after having panic attack in just 6ft of water - The Daily Record
http://deadlinescotland.wordpress.c...off-the-coast-of-fife-while-learning-to-dive/
Truly sad, and the investigation continues.
In reading this news report one statement caught my attention.
"In the panic, she swallowed a large amount of water."
From my perspective, this oft repeated concept of 'swallowing water' obfuscates a more serious, potentially fatal event, laryngospasm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPtdkqOLLP4
Simply swallowing water is NOT a problem causing laryngospasm. Pulmonary aspiration of even small amounts of water (or even spray) CAN result in laryngospasm or even 'dry drowning' http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/5913
The expression "it went down the wrong pipe!" used when we cough or nearly choke addresses the differences. All is ok if we swallow a mouthful of liquid down our esophagus during a meal, BUT if the liquid penetrates our 'windpipe', the larynx, we reflexively cough to clear the AIR passage.
In the following illustration, the two completely distinct passage ways are apparent:
1. The esophagus leading to the stomach, for food and liquid
2. The larynx leading into the lungs via bronchi for breathing
Click on the attachment for a larger view.
Many OW instructors continue to dismiss a student diver's choking with merely 'swallowing water'. This is a dangerous and ignorant instructional error.
The consequence may be a diver death.
Female diver died after having panic attack in just 6ft of water - The Daily Record
http://deadlinescotland.wordpress.c...off-the-coast-of-fife-while-learning-to-dive/
Truly sad, and the investigation continues.
In reading this news report one statement caught my attention.
"In the panic, she swallowed a large amount of water."
From my perspective, this oft repeated concept of 'swallowing water' obfuscates a more serious, potentially fatal event, laryngospasm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPtdkqOLLP4
Simply swallowing water is NOT a problem causing laryngospasm. Pulmonary aspiration of even small amounts of water (or even spray) CAN result in laryngospasm or even 'dry drowning' http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/5913
The expression "it went down the wrong pipe!" used when we cough or nearly choke addresses the differences. All is ok if we swallow a mouthful of liquid down our esophagus during a meal, BUT if the liquid penetrates our 'windpipe', the larynx, we reflexively cough to clear the AIR passage.
In the following illustration, the two completely distinct passage ways are apparent:
1. The esophagus leading to the stomach, for food and liquid
2. The larynx leading into the lungs via bronchi for breathing
Click on the attachment for a larger view.
Many OW instructors continue to dismiss a student diver's choking with merely 'swallowing water'. This is a dangerous and ignorant instructional error.
The consequence may be a diver death.
Attachments
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