Two cases of accidental immersion hypothermia with different outcomes under identical conditions.
Two cases of accidental immersion hypothermia are presented, both occurring during the same aircraft ditching. One victim survived while the other patient died despite identical immersion time and environmental conditions. Pertinent literature is reviewed to attempt to explain the different patient outcomes. The most important discriminating factor appears to be skinfold thickness, which reflects body fat.
McCallum
A L
AL
Department of Emergency Services, Toronto General Hospital, Ont., Canada.
McLellan
B A
BA
Reid
S R
SR
Courtade
W
W
D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000401:mortality*; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors