Drowning rarely looks like drowning. There is usually no splashing, no waving and no shouting, which is why it so often happens close to adults who do not notice.
Why drowning is quiet
A person who is drowning is struggling to breathe, and breathing comes before speech. The mouth sinks below the surface and bobs up just long enough to exhale and inhale. There is no air to call for help. The arms press down on the water by instinct to lift the mouth, so they cannot wave. Water safety trainers call this the instinctive drowning response, and lifeguards are taught to recognize it because it is so different from what most people expect.
For young children it can be shorter and even quieter. A toddler who slips into a pool may simply go under and not come back up. The CDC notes that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S., and that most of these deaths happen in home swimming pools.
Signs to watch for
- Head low in the water, mouth at water level; or head tilted back with the mouth open.
- Body upright in the water, with little or no effective kicking.
- Eyes glassy, closed or unable to focus; hair over the forehead or eyes.
- Trying to swim in a direction but not making progress, or trying to roll onto the back.
- Appearing to climb an invisible ladder.
- Hyperventilating or gasping.
- A child who suddenly goes quiet in the water. Children playing make noise; silence is a reason to look.
Distress comes before drowning
Before the silent stage there is often a short period of distress, when a swimmer can still call out, wave or grab at something. A child who is tired, coughing, clinging to the edge or a float, or calling for a parent is in distress and needs help now, while they can still help themselves.
What to do
- Act immediately. If you are not sure, ask "Are you okay?" A swimmer who cannot answer needs help.
- Call for help and call 911, or have someone else call while you act.
- Reach or throw, don't go, if you are not trained in water rescue: extend a pole or towel, or throw something that floats. Untrained rescuers entering the water often become victims themselves.
- Once the person is out of the water, check breathing. If they are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you are trained, and continue until help arrives. Our CPR basics page explains why a hands-on course matters.
- Get medical advice after any incident where the person went under or inhaled water, even if they seem fine. See dry drowning and delayed symptoms.
Prevention beats recognition
Recognizing drowning is a last line of defense. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics stress barriers, close and constant supervision, life jackets, swim skills and CPR knowledge. Assign a "water watcher" who does nothing else, keep toddlers within arm's reach, and use the layers of protection so that one lapse is not the only thing between a child and the water.
Rip currents and open water
At the beach, a swimmer caught in a rip current may look calm while being carried away from shore. The National Weather Service advises swimmers to stay calm, float or tread water and swim parallel to the shore to escape, and onlookers to get help from a lifeguard or call 911 rather than going in themselves. See open water safety.
Teach children to signal
Older children can learn the lifeguard signal for help: one arm raised and waving. Teach them to call out early if they are tired or scared, and make sure they know it is never embarrassing to ask for help in the water.
Make a water watcher plan
At parties and family gatherings, the risk rises because everyone assumes someone else is watching. Choose one adult as the water watcher for a set period, such as 15 minutes, with no phone, no alcohol and no other tasks, and hand over the job in person. Many families use a tag or lanyard so everyone knows who is on duty.
Frequently asked questions
Does a drowning person splash and yell?
Usually not. A drowning person cannot breathe well enough to call out and instinctively presses down on the water, so drowning is often silent.
How long does it take a child to drown?
It can happen in less time than it takes to answer a phone or check a message, which is why constant, undistracted supervision matters.
What is the instinctive drowning response?
The involuntary set of movements of a person who is drowning: upright body, head low or tilted back, arms pressing down on the water, unable to wave or call for help.
Should I take my child to a doctor after a near-drowning?
Yes. Any child who went under, needed rescue or has coughing or trouble breathing afterward should be checked by a medical professional.