File talk:Shallow Water Blackout.jpg

Why this image was created

Taken by primary author Ex nihil for shallow water blackout to illustrate that article. Image is staged, swimmer swims on. Some have taken exception to this image and a further explanation is added below to explain it better: Originally to illustrate shallow water blackout the purpose was to illustrate how such drownings really appear. The traditional image of drowning involves the splashing, waving and shouting that one has come to expect from the movies. In reality, victims usually go silently and without any visible struggle to attract attention and in pools they are discovered exactly like in this picture. The pool you see in the picture (in Darwin, NT, Australia) actually suffered a shallow water blackout incident two years before this staged picture and the photograph shows exactly how the victim was discovered. The person in the picture and myself have an interest in explaining shallow water blackout, the picture is unpleasant, perhaps even shocking but it is very accurate; if you are unfortunate enough to discover a drowning in a pool this is how you will find it and this is what you should look for, the pool lifesavers do. The original caption "Victims go quietly, often unnoticed" was taken from an advertising campaign either by the Australian RSLSA or by the Northern Territory Childafe campaign, I forget which now. The caption has been modified after comment that it was gothic and designed to evoke emotion.

The picture was also taken to contrast it with the mechanism for deep water blackout, see the partner image in that article, thumbnail to right. The picture is not added to be macabre, it is there to illustrate and explain and it has the full support of the person in the image. If you do have reason to object to it please discuss the matter in the discussion page of the relevant article first before deleting it. Ex nihil 12:55, 7 August 2006 (UTC)