Hydrocution is

A. Electrocution in water
B. Dry drowning
C. Drowning in cold water
D. Postmortem immersion.

Answer: C. Drowning in cold water.

Explanation: Drowning is of 4 types.
 1. Wet drowning: (Primary drowning or Typical drowning):

• In this, water is inhaled into lungs.
• Death occurs within minutes of submersion secondary to cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation.

2. Dry drowning:

• In this type, water does not enter the lungs, but death results from immediate sustained laryngeal spasm due inrush of water into the nasopharynx or larynx.
• Commonly seen in children and adults under the influence of alcohol.
• seen in 10-20% cases of immersion.

3. Secondary drowning: (Post-immersion syndrome or Near drowning)

• Refers to a submersion victim who is resuscitated and survives for 24 hours.
• These persons develop hypoxaemia resulting in brain damage, electrolyte disturbances, pulmonary oedema, metabolic acidosis, chemical pneumonitis, haemoglobinuria, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial anoxia.

4. Immersion syndrome: (HYDROCUTION or Submersion inhibition)

• Death results from cardiac arrest due to vagal inhibition as a result of (a) cold water stimulating the nerve endings of the surface of the body, (b) water striking the epigastrium, (c) cold water entering ear drums, nasal passages, and the pharynx and larynx which cause stimulation of nerve endings of the mucosa.