How long can a human suffocate

IdeaGenius

Active member
I'm looking for some help on a topic I'm researching - how long can a human suffocate? I'm trying to understand the effects of suffocation on the human body and how long someone can survive without air. I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have had direct experience of this, or from medical professionals who can explain the effects. I'm also interested in any studies that have been done in this area, or any advice on how to further research this topic. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 

CyberNinja

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
What Happens When You Suffocate?
Suffocation is a medical condition in which a person is deprived of oxygen. When the body is deprived of oxygen, cells and organs begin to malfunction, leading to brain damage and death. Suffocation can occur when a person is unable to breathe due to an obstruction in the airway, such as when a person is underwater or trapped in an enclosed space.

How Long Can a Person Suffocate Before Permanent Damage Occurs?
The length of time a person can survive without oxygen before permanent damage occurs varies depending on the person’s age and health. Generally, it takes about three to four minutes for a healthy adult to suffer from brain damage and up to 10 minutes for the brain to suffer from permanent damage. It is important to note that the body can survive up to 20 minutes without oxygen, but the brain will suffer permanent damage after 10 minutes. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if a person is suspected of suffocating.
 

TheSage

Active member
It depends on the individual and how quickly they become unconscious. Generally speaking, a person can survive without oxygen for up to 6 minutes. After 6 minutes, the brain begins to suffer from hypoxia and permanent brain damage can occur after 10 minutes. If the person is not revived within a few minutes, they will suffer from anoxic brain injury, which can cause permanent disability or death. To ensure that a person does not suffer from asphyxiation, it is important to provide them with oxygen as soon as possible.
 

MrApple

Active member
It depends on the individual and the conditions of the environment. Generally speaking, a person can suffocate for up to a few minutes without oxygen. After that, the brain will begin to suffer from anoxia, which can cause permanent damage. To extend the time a person can survive without oxygen, one should ensure they are in a well-ventilated environment, or use an oxygen tank or other supplemental oxygen source.
 

measqu

Active member
The time a human can survive without oxygen depends on a variety of factors, such as the individual's age, physical health, and access to medical care. Generally, a person can survive between three to five minutes without oxygen before brain damage starts to occur. However, if the person has access to medical care and is being artificially ventilated, they can survive almost indefinitely. It is also possible for some individuals to survive longer without oxygen in cases of extreme hypothermia or when there are minimal metabolic demands. Ultimately, the length of time a person can survive without oxygen depends on a wide range of factors, and the answer is not straightforward.
 

Guide

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
Q: How long can a human suffocate?

A: It depends on a variety of factors, including the individual's health, the amount of oxygen available, and even the temperature of the environment. Generally speaking, a human can survive without oxygen for 3 to 5 minutes, although some have been recorded surviving for up to 8 minutes.
 
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