The news has been reporting a lot of drownings, recently, as more people take to the summer waters. Enjoying the water is great, but make sure you know the signs of drowning (hint: experts say it’s not the screaming and thrashing depicted in television and movies).
According to a 2006 article in On Scene, there is an Instinctive Drowning Response. Here are the characteristics:
1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help.
2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water and are not above the surface long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help.
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface.
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements.
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick.
Furthermore, it takes 20 to 60 seconds for the person to go under the water for good. So, know the signs that someone is in trouble (just because they’re splashing and crying for help doesn’t mean something isn’t wrong). Experts also point to some other signs:
- Head low in the water, mouth at water level
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Eyes closed
- Hair over forehead or eyes
- Not using legs – Vertical
- Hyperventilating or gasping
- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
- Trying to roll over on the back
- Ladder climb, rarely out of the water.
Experts suggest, if someone falls in the water, ask them if they’re okay; they won’t answer if they’re in real trouble. And, if you have children, please keep a close eye on them.
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