Bart Ryan M., Lau Henry
USAF, Air Force Academy
Uniformed Services University
The term shallow water backout has been commonly used as a term for drowning, particularly when preceded by hyperventilation. Other terms used to describe this syndrome include: “underwater blackout,” “underwater blackout syndrome,” “sudden underwater blackout syndrome (SUBS),” “breath-holding blackout,” and “free-diver blackout.” Shallow water blackout means unconsciousness in water typically less than 15 feet (5 m) either due to equipment failure or prolonged breath-holding. This language can be misleading as drowning can occur at depths greater than 5 m as well. The American Red Cross, YMCA, and U.S.A. swimming have since redefined the term as a hypoxic blackout. Hypoxic blackout is defined as “the loss of consciousness in the underwater swimmer or diver, during an apnea submersion preceded by hyperventilation, where alternative causes of unconsciousness have been excluded.” Shallow water blackout has the potential to affect anyone in the water, even fit and experienced swimmers. This condition can occur in any body of water, no matter the depth. Some people survive such an event as a result of prompt and effective rescue efforts. Others are not as fortunate. Preventive measures through an increased understanding of hypoxic blackouts are crucial to prevent tragic and unnecessary deaths.
浅水昏厥一词通常被用作溺水的代名词，尤其是在过度换气之后出现时。用于描述这种综合征的其他术语包括：“水下昏厥”“水下昏厥综合征”“突发性水下昏厥综合征（SUBS）”“屏气昏厥”和“自由潜水员昏厥”。浅水昏厥是指由于设备故障或长时间屏气，在通常小于15英尺（5米）的水中失去意识。这种说法可能会产生误导，因为在深度超过5米的地方也可能发生溺水。此后，美国红十字会、基督教青年会和美国游泳协会将该术语重新定义为低氧昏厥。低氧昏厥的定义是“在过度换气后的呼吸暂停潜水过程中，水下游泳者或潜水员失去意识，且已排除其他导致意识丧失的原因”。浅水昏厥有可能影响任何在水中的人，即使是健康且经验丰富的游泳者。这种情况可发生在任何水体中，无论其深度如何。一些人由于及时有效的救援努力而在这类事件中幸存下来。其他人则没那么幸运。通过增强对低氧昏厥的了解来采取预防措施，对于防止悲剧性和不必要的死亡至关重要。
