What is Shallow Water Blackout? A Family's Push to Educate and Prevent Tragedy

A Vermont family is spreading awareness of swimming dangers — hoping to prevent a tragedy like the one they suffered. Ben Haller of Underhill died in the Bahamas from what’s known as a shallow water blackout. The emergency arises when your brain doesn’t have enough oxygen, following activities such as repetitive breath-holding. Basically, a shallow water blackout causes someone to faint underwater, where they can then drown. Haller, who often went by “Benjo,” was spearfishing at the time of his blackout. He was alone when doing that activity which featured repeated […]