TIES is an acronym for Trauma, Infection, Electrocution, and Suffocation, which are all causes of sudden death. Trauma can be caused by a physical injury, such as a car accident or a fall. Infection can be caused by a virus or bacteria, and can lead to organ failure. Electrocution occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical current, and can cause cardiac arrest. Lastly, suffocation can occur when a person is unable to breathe, such as when a person is trapped in a confined space.