5) Mechanisms and precautions on sudden death during bathing
(Table 2 and Figure)
Considering what has discussed above, the mechanism of sudden death during bathing can be explained as follows. By the effects from temperature such as atmosphere temperature, room temperature, and water temperature, and from water pressure, cardiac and vascular reactivity or an attack occurs followed by consciousness disturbance. If it's in the tub, it leads to drowning or drowning death accident, and if it's outside of the tub, it leads to fall accident or bathing hot flash.
Figure. Mechanisms on sudden death during bathing
Table 1. Factors that relate bathing accidents to cardio-pulmonary arrest
(Logistic regression analysis)
| Factors |
Increase of Risk |
| Age |
10 years older |
1.34
|
| Gender |
Female |
1.39
|
| Average daily temperature |
10°C colder |
1.42
|
| Time of emergency call |
4:00 to 7:59AM |
1.85(P=0.08)
|
| 16:00 to 19:59PM |
0.57 |
Table 2. Strategies to prevent bathing accidents
| 1. |
Keep water temperature at 39°C ~ 41°C. Don't stay soaked too long.
|
| 2. |
Keep dressing room and bathroom temperature moderate.
|
| 3. |
Avoid bathing right after meal or midnight hours.
|
| 4. |
Bath in early evening when cold weather.
|
| 5. |
Lower body bathing is advised for persons with cardiac or pulmonary
disease, or hypertension. |
|
