http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/13/water.intox.ap/index.html
SACRAMENTO, California (AP) -- A woman who competed in a radio station's contest to see how much water she could drink without going to the bathroom died of water intoxication, the coroner's office said Saturday.
Jennifer Strange, 28, was found dead Friday in her suburban Rancho Cordova home hours after taking part in the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest in which KDND 107.9 promised a Nintendo Wii video game system for the winner.
"She said to one of our supervisors that she was on her way home and her head was hurting her real bad," said Laura Rios, one of Strange's co-workers at Radiological Associates of Sacramento. "She was crying, and that was the last that anyone had heard from her."
It was not immediately known how much water Strange consumed.
A preliminary investigation found evidence "consistent with a water intoxication death," said assistant Coroner Ed Smith.
John Geary, vice president and marketing manager for Entercom Sacramento, the station's owner, said station personnel were stunned when they heard of Strange's death.
"We are awaiting information that will help explain how this tragic event occurred," he said.
Initially, contestants were handed 8-ounce bottles of water to drink every 15 minutes.
"They were small little half-pint bottles, so we thought it was going to be easy," said fellow contestant James Ybarra of Woodland. "They told us if you don't feel like you can do this, don't put your health at risk."
Ybarra said he quit after drinking five bottles. "My bladder couldn't handle it anymore," he added.
After he quit, he said, the remaining contestants, including Strange, were given even bigger bottles to drink.
"I was talking to her and she was a nice lady," Ybarra said. "She was telling me about her family and her three kids and how she was doing it for her kids."
Replies
36
Skunky
Hyponatremia kills
SoWal Expert
Hyponatremia kills
So does stupidity.
Beach Fanatic
The radio station should have known better 
. What a waste of a beautiful young life.
. What a waste of a beautiful young life.
Beach Fanatic
I always try to balance my water intake with equal amounts of Dickle.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
The radio station should have known betterWhen asked the question if it was dangerous, one of the dj's said, "The human body is 98% water. How can it be dangerous?" Another dj replied, "maybe we should have done some research first," as she laughed.
Unless you have heard it was possible to die from drinking too much water, it does sound a little unnatural. I think reports were that this lady drank around 2 gallons of water.
Just goes to show you that too much of a good thing can be dangerous. It doesn't matter if it is water, drugs, or your time spent on SoWal.
Did I say that? Where is my mirror?
Meow
A couple of years ago, a fraternity pledge at SMU almost succumbed to this same fate. There was a lawsuit and the fraternity does not exist at SMU anymore. You can overdose on too much liquid of any kind.
Beach Fanatic
I have heard of this happening before. It certainly wouldn't have hurt them to do just a little research first.
Beach Fanatic
I heard on one of the entertainment shows last night that a listener called while the contest was going on & warned them that drinking too much water could be deadly. The dj replied "We had them sign waivers so we are not liable". :shock:
10 employees of the radio station have been fired because of the contest.
10 employees of the radio station have been fired because of the contest.
Skunky
I heard on one of the entertainment shows last night that a listener called while the contest was going on & warned them that drinking too much water could be deadly. The dj replied "We had them sign waivers so we are not liable". :shock:
10 employees of the radio station have been fired because of the contest.
Well there you go. If I was one of those DJ's, I would be looking for employment in a foreign country where an American attorney couldn't get me...assuming of course the matter remains civil and not criminal
SoWal Insider
One of many things we were warned about in the hospital and also from the pediatrician when our son was born that it can be leathal to give too much water (& they specified water) to an infant or small child. Too taxing on the kidneys. I'll never forget that.
So sad for this to have happened.
So sad for this to have happened.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
It wasn't enough that the contest included drinking water. The kicker was having to hold your pee.
SoWal Insider
It wasn't enough that the contest included drinking water. The kicker was having to hold your pee.
Hold your pee for a WII.
percy
Hyponatremia killsSkunky, can you explain exactly what occurs? I haven't yet heard a health care professional really explain it other than references to electrolyte imbalances. I'm still not really clear on how it actually happens.
Beach Fanatic
I just threw away my bottle :shock:
Skunky
Skunky, can you explain exactly what occurs? I haven't yet heard a health care professional really explain it other than references to electrolyte imbalances. I'm still not really clear on how it actually happens.
This is oversimplified, but as the volume of fluid in your bloodstream rises tremendously(as was the case here) a hormone that regulates salt/water balance is 'turned off'. Essentially, the kidney can't perform the vital task of balancing sodium without the hormone being produced. Sodium is wasted in the urine to a point where cells all over the body that depend on sodium to run (and they all pretty much do!) fail. When the brain cells fail...game over
percy
This is oversimplified, but as the volume of fluid in your bloodstream rises tremendously(as was the case here) a hormone that regulates salt/water balance is 'turned off'. Essentially, the kidney can't perform the vital task of balancing sodium without the hormone being produced. Sodium is wasted in the urine to a point where cells all over the body that depend on sodium to run (and they all pretty much do!) fail. When the brain cells fail...game overThanks!
Skunky
Thanks!
You got it. Don't be scared to drink water...we seem to have had bottled water glued to our hands since the early 1990's and nobody has hydrated themselves to death. You have to drink an incredible amount of water to accomplish what happened to that poor lady.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
You got it. Don't be scared to drink water...we seem to have had bottled water glued to our hands since the early 1990's and nobody has hydrated themselves to death. You have to drink an incredible amount of water to accomplish what happened to that poor lady.There are other deaths in the media from drinking too much water, but I think you are right, many of us could probably stand to drink more water.
bean
You got it. Don't be scared to drink water...we seem to have had bottled water glued to our hands since the early 1990's and nobody has hydrated themselves to death. You have to drink an incredible amount of water to accomplish what happened to that poor lady.
But if she was allowed to go to pee, she would have been fine right?
percy
You got it. Don't be scared to drink water...we seem to have had bottled water glued to our hands since the early 1990's and nobody has hydrated themselves to death. You have to drink an incredible amount of water to accomplish what happened to that poor lady.Sorry, but this raises another question--I had heard the amount she drank shouldn't have killed her, is that right?
needs to get out more
this may seem a litle elementary, but i would think that if a radio station holds a contest that will affect the bodily functions, then thorough research should be done. where was the input from risk management? the family should eventually own the station. there is no excuse for her death. i read about this last week when it happened and was livid, still am. this is a known effect of overhydrating.
SoWal Insider
this may seem a litle elementary, but i would think that if a radio station holds a contest that will affect the bodily functions, then thorough research should be done. where was the input from risk management? the family should eventually own the station. there is no excuse for her death. i read about this last week when it happened and was livid, still am. this is a known effect of overhydrating.
My brother was a DJ and let's just say the DJs are not the most likely candidates to do such research. Program & general managers pretty much have to CYA at all times. I'm not sure stations have "risk management" people but they sure should. Somebody royally screwed up here. It's horrifying.
Funnkalicious
:shock: I saw this for a second...but wasn't paying attention...Yikes.
needs to get out more
this is one of 6 stations owned. granted, not a large company by today's megaconclomorate standards, but large enough to need some legal representation on retainer. and, any contests must have a budget assigned to them that upper mgt must sign off on.
from the station:
All of you are probably aware of the tragic death of a contestant, Jennifer Strange, following her participation in a contest on the Morning Rave last Friday.
First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Ms. Strange.
I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible. Effective immediately, the Morning Rave show is canceled.
Thank you.
John Geary
Vice-President & General Manager
Entercom/Sacramento
from the station:
All of you are probably aware of the tragic death of a contestant, Jennifer Strange, following her participation in a contest on the Morning Rave last Friday.
First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Ms. Strange.
I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible. Effective immediately, the Morning Rave show is canceled.
Thank you.
John Geary
Vice-President & General Manager
Entercom/Sacramento
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
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