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LAKE DRAMA: 8-Year-Old Falls Through Ice, Submerged for TWO AND A HALF HOURS: Doctors Revive Him, Here's How
An eight-year-old boy from Pennsylvania went sledding in December, and a few hours later, he was pulled from a frozen lake without a pulse.
TL;DR
- An 8-year-old boy in Pennsylvania fell through the ice of a frozen lake during sledding.
- He was submerged for an estimated 147 to 177 minutes and pulled out without a pulse.
- Doctors intentionally did not warm his body, as hypothermia had preserved his organs.
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used to restart circulation.
- The low body temperature reduced the brain's oxygen demand, prolonging a neuroprotective effect.
- The 'diving reflex' also contributed to his survival by conserving energy.
- Medical experts believe children have a higher chance of surviving such incidents due to faster heat loss in cold water.
- The boy showed significant recovery over six months, including walking and eating independently.