Diagnosis of death and the feasibility of resuscitation in cases of acute drowning in fresh water (FW) or sea water (SW) inhalation in rabbits were evaluated using cardiopulmonary function monitoring, measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and determination of haptoglobin (HP). Death took place more quickly in FW drowning, two to five minutes, as compared with four to seven minutes required in SW drowning. In view of the CBF patterns in the brain circulation, many problems exist regarding the judgement of the point of death and the applicability of resuscitation. However, it is considered that brain damage in SW drowning occurs more rapidly than in FW drowning.