title: [Death in a relaxation tank].
abstract: Complete relaxation can be achieved by floating in a darkened, sound-proof relaxation tank filled with salinated water kept at body temperature. Under these conditions, meditation exercises up to self-hypnosis may lead to deep relaxation with physical and mental revitalization. A user manipulated his tank, presumably to completely cut off all optical and acoustic stimuli and accidentally also covered the ventilation hole. The man was found dead in his relaxation tank. The findings suggested lack of oxygen as the cause of death.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg.
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bohnert
mesh_terms: D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002423:Cause of Death; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014691:Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012965:Sodium Chloride