Declaring death is sometimes difficult (not just in connection with organ donation)

 I've written about the determination of death prior to deceased-donor organ donation, but it turns out that there are other hard cases. Submersion in icy water is one, hence the rule  "they aren't dead till they're warm and dead."

 Medpage Today has the story:

Declaring Death Is Not So Simple
by Judy Melinek, MD 

" Hypothermia -- especially in children rescued from drowning -- can deliver us patients in a state of suspended animation, all their metabolic systems so slowed by cold that advanced cardiovascular life support and emergency medicine training teaches that "they aren't dead till they're warm and dead." Get that patient warmed to normal human body temperature, then check again for signs of life."

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Earlier: 

Monday, July 6, 2026  When is someone dead? (dead enough to donate organs?)