Hemodialysis patients may die suddenly & unexpectedly from a number of causes. The author discusses some of these causes, dividing them into those due directly to & occurring during hemodialysis, those deaths occurring while the patient is not undergoing dialysis, & those deaths that may occur at any time. The second group includes suicidal causes of death (exsanquination, electrolyte imbalance as a result of excessive intake of salt, fluid, or potassium) as well as more conventional methods.