What causes this to happen

[perstarnurse2B]

Hi can some please assist me with this question, thanks in advance.

Cecil loves swimming. She hyperventilates for a few minutes before she jumps into the water for swimming. Shortly after, she blacks out and almost sinks(drowns). What causes this to happen? :monkeydance:

[DD-RN]

Just an idea because I am not a nurse (starting nursing classes in Sept.), but I am a mom to a son with epilepsy.

Hyperventilation will often provoke a seizure (particularly an absence/staring seizure) in a person who is susceptible (like a child with a history of seizures or a diagnosis of epilepsy).

The absence seizure could cause the child to momentarily black out and could cause a drowning. Those with seizures should always be watched in a pool or bath.

Hope this helps.

[Steph RN]

Hyperventilation will cause you to pass out alone due to the respiratory and metabolic acid-base imbalance. Meaning there is an imbalance between O2 and CO2. With this, a person can initially feel (after recovering) somewhat fine, however by jumping into water causing the body to use more o2 for metabolism meaning more imbalances and blacking out! Or, how cold was the water. If it was extremely cold this could cause it too.. Hope this helps.

[panzyo3]

Hyperventilation can lower partial pressure of CO2 so there's a lag before respiration occurs again. The lag allows oxygen levels to fall below 50 mmHg causing the swimmer to black out & perhabs drown before they have the urge to breathe. Straight from my A&P book.

[perstarnurse2B]

Thank you so much for your response it is truly appreciated.:thankya:

[perstarnurse2B]

thank you very much.