How do about 5 percent of drowning victims suffer some sort of permanent brain injury?

About 5 percent of drowning victims suffer permanent brain injury primarily due to the lack of oxygen during the incident. When a person is submerged and unable to breathe, the brain can sustain damage within minutes due to hypoxia. This damage can lead to neurological impairments, affecting cognitive and motor functions even if the individual is resuscitated. Rapid intervention and timely access to emergency medical care are crucial in minimizing these outcomes.