Woman declared brain dead after cryotherapy session starved her brain of oxygen

Woman declared brain dead after cryotherapy session starved her brain of oxygen READ MORE: Six dead after liquid nitrogen leak at Georgia poultry plant By ISHITA SRIVASTAVA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:34, 18 April 2025 | Updated: 22:35, 18 April 2025 e-mail View comments A second person injured in a cryotherapy chamber accident has been declared brain dead, officials said. A suspected nitrogen leak during a cryotherapy treatment session occurred at around 6.

20pm on April 14 at a small sports center named On Air gym in Paris. An employee of the gym in her late 20s, died at the scene while a client in her 30s was rushed to Lariboisière Hospital in critical condition. But now, the Paris public prosecutor’s office has confirmed she was declared brain dead by doctors on April 17.



Officials have said in a statement from the day of the accident: 'An investigation into the cause of death has been launched.' A source close to the investigation said a nitrogen leak from the cryochamber is thought to have caused the poisoning. An autopsy of the deceased employee shows she died of suffocation due to a lack of oxygen.

Officials are yet to reveal how the incident unfolded however based on autopsy reports, it can be assumed that both victims suffocated in the room - indicating that a nitrogen leak happened into the cryotherapy chamber. Cryotherapy, particularly whole-body cryotherapy, uses liquid nitrogen to create an extremely cold environment Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gas and makes up around 80 percent of the air we breathe, while oxygen accounts for 20 percent. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to create an extremely cold environment.

During a session in a walk-in chamber a person is exposed to temperatures below -148 degrees Fahrenheit (-100 degrees Celsius) for up to three minutes. Advocates say whole body cryotherapy is effective in reducing muscle soreness, stress, rheumatism and various skin conditions. Read More Man, 71, suffers a blistering COLD BURN from a trendy cyro-chamber popular with footballers as experts warn they are dangerous and do NOT boost muscle recovery Star athletes and celebrities have used whole body cryotherapy as an alternative to ice packs and cold water baths.

However, a nitrogen leak during a cryotherapy session can prove to be fatal. A leak can happen when the liquid nitrogen escapes from the device often through broken equipment or improper valve operation. As it interacts with the atmosphere while leaking, liquid nitrogen begins to evaporate and starts to displace and reduce the oxygen in the air.

This can lead to asphyxiation, especially in confined spaces like cryotherapy cabins. Asphyxiation is the state or process of the human body being deprived of oxygen, which can result in brain damage or death. The brain is incredibly sensitive to oxygen deprivation to the point that cells begin to die within just a few minutes of oxygen loss.

The tragedy occurred at around 6.20pm on April 14 at a small sports center named On Air gym located in the 11th district of the French capital In a post promoting the practice of cryotherapy, On Air claimed that it would provide several benefits Prolonged oxygen deprivation can lead to a coma and, if severe and untreated, brain death - which is described as the patient not breathing, having a heart beat and cannot regain consciousness, all of which are important for survival. François Vauglin, Socialist mayor of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, said following the incident: 'It's a stupid accident with terrible consequences.

It's infinitely sad. Losing your life for a cryotherapy session is tragic. This type of treatment is not trivial.

' Cryotherapy came under scrutiny in the United States in 2015 after a woman froze to death at a Las Vegas spa. The 24-year-old woman was believed to have entered one of the spa's cold chambers after business hours to relieve her aches and pains, and was discovered the next day by a co-worker. The process is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the US and officials have to release any numbers on deaths caused by nitrogen leaks.

However, over 5,000 Americans die of accidental suffocation for multiple reasons including choking every year. Paris Share or comment on this article: Woman declared brain dead after cryotherapy session starved her brain of oxygen e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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