Don't Drown in Shallow Water

Did you know that according to the statistics, twenty-five to thirty percent of drownings occur in shallow water that is three feet or less?

There is a such thing called Shallow Water Blackout (Hypoxic Blackout) which results from hypoxia (low oxygen) to the brain. One basically “blacks out” or faints in water from prolonged breath-holding. It is said that unlike regular drowning that could take 6-8 minutes before brain damage and death, there are ONLY about 2 ½ minutes before brain damage death with SWB due to the oxygen depravity to the brain coupled with warm water as in swimming pools.

It is also said that SWB is not exclusive to amateur swimmers. Shallow Water Blackout usually occurs due to lack of education, awareness, and understanding of the dangers of breath-holding. It also occurs because of lack of safety training for swimmers, free divers, snorkelers, and spearfishermen. The breath-holders do not understand how to prevent or how to survive if it happens to them.

Let’s begin this week’s blog with translating this subject into our everyday lives. How many of us are actually walking around holding our breath aware or unaware? Right now, the state of the country is being inundated with the phrase “I Can’t Breathe”. Most of you are aware of the origin of that statement. The truth is we all can feel this way on any given day, in any given situation or circumstance. I have had a series of days, weeks, months, and some years that I felt this way. Not knowing what my next move should be, how can I live another day in my situation, or under my circumstance. I’ve experienced this on all levels. In my marriage, with my children, in my church, with my extended family, and last but definitely not least on my job. Guess what, I survived! I’m still surviving and learning how to navigate every area of my life. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve made some big mistakes and a lot of small ones. Nevertheless, I’m a survivor. I’ve expanded myself and my knowledge. God has granted me grace time and time again. Incredible wisdom and insight came along with each and every experience, I’m better for it.

The reason I choose this week topic, is to speak to anyone that has ever found yourself or is currently drowning in shallow water. Maybe you never heard it on this wise or related to it on these terms. Let me further explain. One of the things that is clearly pointed out in SWB is that these people drown because no one knows that their drowning. You see there’s no visible struggle. The brain has already been deprived of oxygen from the breath-holding, therefore, the person in turns faints underwater without anyone being aware that this has occurred until it’s too late. Also, the individual themselves are not aware of the proper techniques in breath holding, therefore it leads to SWB. Majority of the time in regular drowning there is a visible struggle. The person is normally fighting the water and emerging up and down out of the water, where there are brief moments in which they’re able to breathe and it may be visible to others that the person is in intimate danger allowing for a better chance of survival. Unfortunately, this is not the case in SWB.

SWB can occur in our everyday lives when we allow invisible things such as hurt, resentment, inadequacy, discouragement, pressure, secrets amongst other things to deprive us from clear thinking, peace, and balance in our lives. We can drown or be drowning without notice. You can be in the state of holding your breath for so long that you’ve actually forgotten how long you’ve been holding it; therefore, the damage has already begun. Unfortunately, before you know it, you faint from oxygen depravity or worse case demise.

This occurs due to lack of self-awareness, proper training, or losing touch with our very own realities.

Ann Landers said this about self-awareness. Self-awareness has been defined as the ability to make an accurate assessment of your own personality, strengths and weaknesses. It is the conscious knowledge of one’s own character, emotions, desires, and motivations. The better we know ourselves and our tendencies toward certain sins, the clearer we can see where we need to grow as followers of Christ. A healthy self-awareness benefits our relationships as well, because it also enables us to understand others and how they see us.

The battle truly is fought and won in the mind. Self-awareness begins with your mind. It doesn’t matter who doesn’t feel you’re a success or who thinks you’re a failure. The question is how do you see yourself? We should look to refine ourselves through God’s word not others. God’s word clearly separates and defines the wise from the foolish. Take some time and read Proverbs it’s a guide to the wise. God’s word defines character traits we should walk in by the fruits of the spirit of Christ, Galatians 5:22-23. It defines what we should think on Philippians 4:8. The things that are just, pure, lovely, good report. How we should see ourselves, Psalms 139:14, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Who he is to us, Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Everything you need to be aware of is found in God’s word. When we use the “Creator” as the mirror to how we should live and see ourselves, we can in turn be better and stronger for ourselves and ultimately for and to others.

Take the time over a cup of tea to take inventory of your own personal issues, situation(s), or circumstance(s) that may be depriving you from oxygen. Pray to God for direction and clarity of how you can better navigate, preserve yourself and become the best version of you in all your areas in your life. Once you do these things you will be able to breathe clearer and see things from a new and healthy prospective. that’s probably an understatement. What I learned is two people in a frenzy doesn’t necessarily make for a good outcome. I had to learn that life happens, and it continues to happen. Everywhere and in everything. It’s uncontrollable, but “Peace” is a choice. It’s a conscience choice one gets to make with God’s help. Letting go of hurts, resentments, discouragements, and disappointments are also choices we get to make. God is waiting right there to take them. When you begin to look at your life, your circumstances and realize that you get to decide how you see it, how you are going to deal with it. You give yourself a fighting chance to survive. If you practice waiting for things and people to change, in some manner that semblance to holding your breath. Remember often times others don’t know what you need. They too are fighting battles within their own selves or putting out little fires everywhere. Being and becoming more self-aware helps you emerge and fight oppose dying silently, unknowingly or alone.

Take the time over a cup of tea to take inventory of your own personal issues, situation(s), or circumstance(s) that may be depriving you from oxygen. Pray to God for direction and clarity of how you can better navigate, preserve yourself and become the best version of you in all your areas in your life. Once you do these things you will be able to breathe clearer and see things from a new and healthy prospective.

Until next week, Be good to yourselves.