Coroner cautions against practising Wim Hof breathing method underwater after man drowns
SINGAPORE: A man who drowned while practising a breathing method underwater likely suffered a shallow water blackout as a result of holding his breath underwater after he had hyperventilated, a coroner has found.
In findings made available on Friday (Jan 14), State Coroner Adam Nakhoda cautioned against practising prolonged underwater breath-holding after hyperventilating, advising such practitioners to have a buddy in the pool focusing on them at all times.
He ruled the death of Mr Danzel Goh Choon Meng, who leaves behind a wife and son, a misadventure. Mr Goh, a company director, was 29.
At about 7.10pm, a resident entered the pool to swim some laps. He noted that Mr Goh appeared to be doing breathing exercises in the pool and was not swimming laps.
Mr Goh's wife left the pool area at about 7.20pm as she had household chores to do, but Mr Goh remained in the water. About 15 minutes later, the resident completed his laps and left too.
