Low-pressure aspiration of fresh water and sea water in the non-anoxic dog An experimental study on the pathophysiology of drowning

Otter, G. den

doi:10.1016/0300-9432(73)90045-9

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Aspiration of small amounts of water can lead to severe metabolic abnormalities, as well as effects on water and electrolyte equilibrium of the body, especially with high concentrations of salt water (9). In general, acids, animal fats, mineral oil, alcohol, and hydrocarbons can initiate an inflammatory reaction in the lung that is independent of a bacterial infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspiration tests in aqueous foam using a breathing simulator

Archuleta¹

1995

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Non-toxic aqueous foams are being developed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for use in crowd control, cell extractions, and group disturbances in the criminal justice prison systems. The potential for aspiration of aqueous foam during its use and the resulting adverse effects associated with complete immersion in aqueous foam is of major concern to the NU when examining the effectiveness and safety of using this technology as a Less-Than-Lethal weapon. This preliminary study was designed to evaluate the maximum quantity of foam that might be aspirated by an individual following total immersion in an SNL-developed aqueous foam. A T.W. Reed Breathing simulator equipped with a 622 Silverman cam was used to simulate the aspiration of an ammonium laureth sulfate aqueous foam developed by SNL and generated at expansion ratios in the range of 500: 1 to 1000: 1. Although the natural instinct of an individual immersed in foam is to cover their nose and mouth with a hand or cloth, thus breaking the bubbles and decreasing the potential for aspiration, this study was performed to examine a worst case scenario where mouth breathing only was examined, and no attempt was made to block foam entry into the breathing port. Two breathing rates were examined: one that simulated a sedentary individual with a mean breathing rate of 6.27 breathslminute, and one that simulated an agitated or heavily breathing individual with a mean breathing rate of 23.7 breaths/minute. The results of this study indicate that, if breathing in aqueous foam without movement, an air pocket forms around the nose and mouth within one minute of immersion. Maximal aspiration of the foam occurs in the first 3-5 breaths following immersion, with no additional foam aspirated upon continued exposure. The maximum accumulated amount of foam that was estimated to be aspirated by the breathing simulator was 18 gm (17.5 mls) for a one hour exposure to an aqueous foam generated at an expansion ratio of 500: 1. This is less than 25 mls which has been determined to be the critical volume required for the generation of aspiration pneumonia. It appears, therefore, that there is minimal risk of aspiration pneumonia due to aspiration of a critical volume of aqueous foam. The potential for aspiration increases, however, under circumstances involving general anesthesia, intoxication with alcohol or drugs, seizures, strokes, and disorders of the esophagus and trachea, which may be of concern when dealing with an incarcerated individual. DIS7RiBUT10N OF MIS DOCUMENT I S UNLlMIED 3-4 Aspiration Tests in Aqueous Foam Using a Breathing Simulator Contents

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%