How long can victims suffer from hypoxia before brain damage or death occurs?

Victims can suffer from hypoxia, which is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, for approximately 4-6 minutes before irreversible brain damage or death may occur. During this time, the brain, which is highly sensitive to oxygen levels, begins to experience significant impairment. After about 4 minutes of oxygen deprivation, neuronal cells start to die, and prolonged hypoxia can lead to more severe neurological deficits and ultimately brain death if oxygen supply is not restored.

This window of 4-6 minutes is crucial for medical responders to recognize, as immediate intervention can help prevent permanent damage. The human brain has a limited capacity to tolerate lack of oxygen compared to other organs, which is why understanding this timeframe is vital in emergency care situations.