“Help! Help, I’m drowning!”
That’s what most of us expect from a drowning person, along with splashing and waving arms. These are signs of “aquatic distress,” in which the person recognizes that they are in danger—but they are not yet drowning. Actual drowning is a much quieter process, and can happen within feet of other swimmers without them even noticing. In fact, a drowning person can appear so calm and quiet that we think they’re just fine!
How does drowning happen, and what are the real signs?
Drowning happens as a response to water coming in contact with the larynx, or voice box. After an initial gasp, the person holds his breath and the larynx goes into spasm. With no breathing occurring, the oxygen levels in the bloodstream quickly deplete and the body becomes highly acidic, which in turn causes cardiac arrest and a lack of sufficient oxygen to the brain. The victim may or may not aspirate water into their lungs, depending upon whether the larynx remains in spasm or relaxes, allowing water in.
Signs that should alert you to possible drowning:
- Head low in the water, with mouth at water level
- Head tilted back, mouth open (a child’s head may fall forward)
- Body vertical in the water
- Eyes glassy, unfocused, or closed
- Hair over eyes or face
- Hyperventilating, gasping, or not breathing
- Trying to swim but making no headway
- Trying to roll onto back
What’s happening to cause these signs?
In order to cry out for help, the victim must be able to take a deep breath and expel it through the voice box—and with the larynx in spasm, no calling or talking is possible. In the final stage of drowning, the victim has little or no voluntary use of their arms—they may appear to be pressing down on the water in order to lift his body above the surface. For this reason, they can’t reach out and grab a lifesaver, rope, or floating object even if it’s right beside them. Their body will be upright in the water, with little kicking or leg movement. Their mouth may be momentarily above the surface, but not long enough to exhale and inhale before going under again. This stage lasts from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.
What are the most dangerous conditions for drowning?
We think of deep water, a strong undertow, whirlpools, and heavy seas, but the fact is, drowning can occur in only a few inches of water, as with a child in a kiddie pool or bathtub or an unconscious person face-down in a puddle.
Do not leave small children in any amount of water even for a minute or two! Make sure other responsible people with you also know the signs of drowning. Even good swimmers can drown; cramps, a sudden blackout or seizure, heart attack, or a simple aspiration of water from an unexpected wave can start the process. Be vigilant!
Sources:
www.medicinenet.com/drowning/article.htm
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drowning
www.rd.com/advice/parenting/8-quiet-signs-of-someone-drowning
4 comments
Christina
Good job!! Several times in my life I have been on the verge of drowning ever since my brother used to hold me under water when I was a little girl. I have tried to overcome the panic of getting my face in the water, but have not been successful — and have been held by undertows and almost pulled under. Part of the contributing factor to a drowning scenario could be related to a person having a previous traumatic experience and panic setting in which worsens the situation. I remember my sister watching me struggle from the shore and not doing anything. My foot finally touched some ground which helped me rise for some air — or I would have been a goner for sure.
Mary
I lost my brother when he was only two years old in our family pool. It is a devastating thing that happens to the family and very hard to recover.
Families can be broken up from something like this happening if not for their faith in God. My father had gone outside and fell asleep by the pool, my mom was taking a nap and my sister and I got distracted, and thus my brother died. IT was so quiet that no one noticed him even falling into the pool. My parents wanted to fill the pool in with concrete after that but never did, thank goodness because when I had my children I trained them all how to swim from the time they were less than a year old. Nothing takes the place of safety, and keeping an eye on a child, not even knowing how to swim.
Pharme329
Muchos Gracias for your blog post. eegcbdcfddec
Doug Clark
As a volunteer firefighter first responder for several years, with all the training I’ve had, I have never been trained on these signs. Very good information, thank you.