Which organs are at greatest risk for permanent damage during drowning?

The brain and heart are at the greatest risk for permanent damage during drowning due to their critical functions and sensitivity to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). When a person drowns, the primary concern is the lack of oxygen reaching vital organs. The brain is particularly vulnerable because it can begin to suffer irreversible damage within just a few minutes without oxygen. This is due to its high metabolic demand and reliance on a constant supply of oxygen to function properly. Prolonged oxygen deprivation can lead to neurological damage, resulting in lasting cognitive impairment or brain death.

The heart also suffers during drowning episodes, as the lack of oxygen can lead to cardiac arrest. If circulation is not restored promptly, this can result in extensive damage to the heart muscle and affect its ability to pump blood effectively, leading to further complications.

While other organs also experience distress during drowning, they do not face the same immediate risk of permanent damage as the brain and heart do. The liver and kidneys, for example, can be affected by prolonged hypoxic conditions but typically have a greater capacity for recovery if circulation and oxygenation are restored in a timely manner. The lungs are damaged as well, but the primary concern during drowning is the systemic impact of oxygen deprivation particularly affecting the brain and heart.