Journal of Applied Physiology
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J Appl Physiol 86: 265-272, 1999;
8750-7587/99 $5.00
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Vol. 86, Issue 1, 265-272, January 1999

A mathematical model for human brain cooling during cold-water near-drowning

Xiaojiang Xu1, Peter Tikuisis2, and Gordon Giesbrecht1

1 Laboratory for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2; and 2 Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine, North York, Ontario, Canada M3M 3B9

A two-dimensional mathematical model was developed to estimate the contributions of different mechanisms of brain cooling during cold-water near-drowning. Mechanisms include 1) conductive heat loss through tissue to the water at the head surface and in the upper airway and 2) circulatory cooling to aspirated water via the lung and via venous return from the scalp. The model accounts for changes in boundary conditions, blood circulation, respiratory ventilation of water, and head size. Results indicate that conductive heat loss through the skull surface or the upper airways is minimal, although a small child-sized head will conductively cool faster than a large adult-sized head. However, ventilation of cold water may provide substantial brain cooling through circulatory cooling. Although it seems that water breathing is required for rapid "whole" brain cooling, it is possible that conductive cooling may provide some advantage by cooling the brain cortex peripherally and the brain stem centrally via the upper airway.

computer modeling; hypothermia; submersion; drowning; resuscitation


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