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Kind of a morbid question, but apparently one that is on many people’s minds. Suicide by drowning is definitely not impossible, although it is not the easi-est method. Due to the body's natural tendency to come up for air, drowning attempts are most likely to succeed in deep waters.

Drowning occurs when water comes into contact with the larynx, also known as the voice box. This is followed by spasms of the larynx and the development of hypox-emia - decreased levels of oxygen in the bloodstream. Lack of oxygen causes the aerobic metabolism to stop, and the body becomes acidotic, which means the body's acidity level becomes extremely high. If this is not corrected quickly, the lack of oxygen in combination with too much acid may lead to problems with the heart and causes a lack of blood supply to the brain. According to the 2001 Australian study Characteristic Features of Suicidal Drown-ings: A 20-Year Study, there are more

men than women who commit suicide by drowning. Women prefer to drown themselves in the ocean or bath, whereas males choose rivers, ditches, and lakes. Swimming pools are rarely used for this pur-pose. Alcohol use is also not unusual, and there is often a significant history of mental illness. The use of weights is uncommon, and back-up techniques, such as wrist cutting, are also rare.

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