Woman Dies After Wii Contest

[johnastovall]

"A Sacramento County woman died over the weekend from water intoxication after participating in a radio contest called “Hold Your Wee for a Wii.”

[Rick Waldroup]

I saw this yesterday and the first thing I thought of was what in the world was the radio station thinking? Even if safeguards are put in place, who knows what a person's tolerance is to something like this. I feel terrible for her three kids.

Just another crazy, whacky radio promo....

Can you imagine the lawsuit that is in the works.....

[Detonate]

I would have never thought you could die from drinking too much water.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Detonate

I would have never thought you could die from drinking too much water.

Every year a few people (mostly young people) die from water intoxication, frequently at frat parties.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...GNSB576121.DTL

http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/arti...p?article=2561

[Jezebel]

I can't believe someone would be dumb enough to hold a contest like that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that that isn't healthy.

[Robert Paredes]

WOW, i didn't know that you can die from drinikng too much water. It goes to show that people will do anything to win a contest.

[atnlegacy]

What in the world was the radio station thinking?!?!?! And the contestants too. As stated earlier, it's NOT healthy... This is a law suit in the making.

[Detonate]

I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that neither the radio station, nor the contestant had any clue that it was dangerous.

I'm sure everyone will get sue happy now though.

[nyati13]

Originally Posted by Detonate

I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that neither the radio station, nor the contestant had any clue that it was dangerous.

I'm sure everyone will get sue happy now though.

While it isn't unreasonable for the contestant to not know anything about the possible danger, that cannot be extended to the contest organizer.
The radio station should have investigated exactly what it was they were going to do for the contest. "Not knowing" is not even remotely a valid excuse for the radio station.

[atnlegacy]

True, no one probably thought any one would die from the contest. But any average Joe should know that there are health issues, and I agree with the poster who stated that the radio station should have researched prior to the contest. Including medical advice.

[photobykim]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Every year a few people (mostly young people) die from water intoxication, frequently at frat parties.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...GNSB576121.DTL

http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/arti...p?article=2561

I clicked on your first link and read some of it, here is part of it

"Forced water consumption and heavy exercise are known to dilute the salt content of blood to the point where it interferes with brain, heart and muscle function. Without enough sodium, the brain swells and victims can suffer fatal comas. "

[Wes]

Stupid contest, stupid people. Not much really surprises me these days.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by Jezebel

I can't believe someone would be dumb enough to hold a contest like that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that that isn't healthy.

This is kind of thing is nothing new for radio stations and to them and most others it probably seemed like one of the most conservative contests. Plus all we hear is nowadays is "drink more water!" Here in Houston last year The Buzz did something similiar. They did the same thing but you had to drink milk. You basically drank milk until you puked, which didn't take much compared to water.

[Rick Waldroup]

Here is a link to the CNN story. From this, it appears that the station knew that it may be a health risk.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/13/wat...ml?eref=rss_us

[Gordon]

It is also a frequent cause of hospitalization and need of medical assistance at marathons and long distance endurance events.