COMPRESSIVE ASPHYXIA

Current Context : The tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s (TVK) rally in Tamil Nadu’s Velusamypuram claimed 41 lives, with doctors confirming compressive asphyxia as the primary cause of death due to crowd pressure.

ABOUT ASPHYXIA

• Definition: A condition where the body fails to get adequate oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.
• Process: The lungs fail to supply oxygen or expel carbon dioxide efficiently, disrupting blood oxygen levels.

ABOUT COMPRESSIVE ASPHYXIA

• Meaning: Physical asphyxia caused by external pressure on the chest, preventing lung expansion.
• Common Causes: Crowd crushes, collapsed structures, or heavy external weight on the chest.
• Effect: Lungs cannot expand → oxygen deprivation → cardiac arrest.