What is associated with antemortem drowning?

The presence of foamy fluid in the lungs is a classic finding associated with antemortem drowning. When someone drowns, they inhale water that contains various substances, including air. This air gets trapped in the water, creating a foamy appearance when the lungs are examined. This foaming is a result of surfactant action and indicates that the individual was still alive and struggling to breathe when submerged in water.

Antemortem drowning typically results in the aspiration of water, which significantly distinguishes it from postmortem drowning. In contrast, features such as fractured bones, reddish-brown discoloration, or Paltauf hemorrhages are generally associated with other types of traumas or causes of death, and do not specifically indicate that drowning occurred while the person was alive. Thus, the presence of foamy fluid in the lungs serves as a critical marker for confirming antemortem drowning in forensic examinations.