drowning

Death within 24 hours of immersion in liquid, either due to anoxia or cardiac arrest caused by sudden extreme lowering of temperature (immersion syndrome). SEE ALSO: near d..

- dry d. d. by asphyxiation in an individual whose laryngeal reflexes are brisk, resulting in spasm that prevents inhalation of water; may be associated with the highest recovery rate.

- near d. initial survival following immersion in liquid; the victim may die more than 24 hours later, e.g., from ARDS.

- secondary d. pulmonary edema and resulting asphyxia, resulting from hypoxia and increased permeability of pulmonary capillaries occurring in a patient who has been immersed in and aspirated some water.

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drown·ing (drounґing) suffocation and death resulting from filling of the lungs with water or other substance or fluid, so that gas exchange becomes impossible.