survival after suffocation caused by submersion in water or another fluid. Some experts exclude from this definition cases of temporary survival that end in death within 24 hours
Diving Reflex.This is a reflex observed in aquatic mammals and also to a lesser extent in humans. When sea lions, for instance, dive, they divert blood from peripheral circulation, reduce blood flow to digestion, focus blood on the core and the brain, and reduce pulse to a Very slow rate. This way, it's not uncommon for sea lions to obtain periods of half an hour or more underwater.The same reflex, to a lesser extent, appears in humans. Diving Reflex is most pronounced when:The water is very cold.The victim's face is immersed.The victim is young.Infants who have fallen into icy water have recovered after as much as 45 minutes immersion or more. This is much less common in adults. The older you get and the warmer the water, the less the chance for this reflex to work as effectively.