Nick Johnson was a 20-year-old water polo player and student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who died in a freak accident at a swimming pool on March 24, 2023. According to the coroner’s report, the cause of his death was accidental drowning, and the likely reason for his loss of consciousness was shallow water blackout, a condition that can affect even experienced swimmers
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What is Shallow Water Blackout?
Shallow water blackout is a phenomenon that occurs when a swimmer hyperventilates before diving underwater, lowering the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. This reduces the urge to breathe and delays the onset of oxygen deprivation. As a result, the swimmer may lose consciousness without warning and drown
Shallow water blackout can happen to anyone who practices breath-holding or underwater swimming, regardless of their fitness, skill, or experience. It is especially common among competitive swimmers, freedivers, spearfishers, and navy seals, who often push themselves to the limit of their abilities
How Did Nick Johnson Die?
According to the coroner’s report, Nick Johnson was doing a high-intensity workout at the Santa Barbara High School swimming pool on the morning of March 24, 2023. He was seen swimming at full speed and taking a breath only once at the end of each lap. He did this several times, until he suddenly disappeared from the surface
About 10 to 15 minutes later, his coach and other swimmers noticed that he was missing and found him at the bottom of the pool. They pulled him out and performed CPR, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead at the hospital
The coroner ruled out any drugs, alcohol, or medical conditions that could have contributed to his death. He concluded that the most probable explanation was that Johnson suffered from shallow water blackout, which caused him to lose consciousness and drown
How to Prevent Shallow Water Blackout?
Shallow water blackout is a preventable cause of death, but many swimmers are unaware of the risks and the signs of impending danger. The best way to prevent shallow water blackout is to avoid hyperventilation, breath-holding, and underwater swimming, especially alone or without supervision
Other safety measures include:
- Educating oneself and others about the dangers of shallow water blackout and how to recognize and respond to it.
- Wearing a device that monitors the oxygen level in the blood and alerts the swimmer when it is too low.
- Using a buddy system and having a trained lifeguard on duty at all times.
- Following the guidelines and rules of the pool or the diving site.
- Seeking medical attention if one experiences any symptoms of shallow water blackout, such as dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, or loss of memory
Conclusion
Nick Johnson’s death was a tragic and shocking event that saddened the entire community. He was a talented and beloved athlete, student, and friend, who had a bright future ahead of him. His death also raised awareness of the dangers of shallow water blackout, a condition that can affect anyone who swims underwater. By learning more about this condition and how to prevent it, we can honor his memory and save lives
