Author(s): Café, HM ; Santos, S ; Chaves, S ; Faria, P ; Câmara, M ; Nóbrega, J ; Pereira, V
Date: 2015
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/33213
Origin: Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira, E.P.E.
Subject(s): Beach; cardiac arrest,; Madeira Island; Portugal; thermal shock; water; paragem respiratória; água; Ilha da Madeira; choque térmico
Thermal shock is widely recognized by modern medicine. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are known, as are its possible consequences, but scientific reports in the literature about clinical cases with severe consequences are sparse. The authors present a case of cardiorespiratory arrest after prolonged sun exposure followed by a dive in the ocean. Other aetiological causes were ruled out, by exclusion, leading to the diagnosis of cardiorespiratory arrest caused by thermal shock. It is important to inform the public in general of the risks of negligent behaviour on the beach.
