According to medical experts, brain damage can occur after how many minutes without oxygen?

The correct answer, four minutes, aligns with medical consensus regarding the critical timeline for brain function after oxygen deprivation. After approximately four minutes of being without oxygen, significant brain damage can begin to occur due to the brain's high sensitivity to a lack of oxygen. The brain relies on a continuous supply of oxygen to maintain its neural function and prevent cell death.

Within the first few minutes of oxygen deprivation, cells become increasingly stressed and can begin the process of dying. While some brain cells might show resilience for a brief period, the risk of irreversible damage escalates after the four-minute mark. This timeframe is crucial for medical responders, such as firefighters and paramedics, who often deal with emergencies involving oxygen deprivation. Understanding these time constraints emphasizes the importance of timely medical intervention and resuscitation efforts in preventing long-term damage or death.