A Tasmanian free diver has died, apparently due to what’s known as shallow water blackout.
Thomas Nicholson of Albany, Western Australia, was free diving in his local waters when he failed to surface. His body was found in about 20 meters of water after a police investigation.
Autopsy results are forthcoming, but Nicholson’s death appears to be a case of shallow water blackout.
Shallow water blackout occurs, often in strong swimmers and divers, when the body does not have enough carbon dioxide to trigger the response to breathe. A swimmer underwater will lose consciousness and take in water, causing drowning in just a few minutes. Read more..
