A thing about drowning everyone should read. Yes, I mean you.

Mr Jack

Mr Jack

Mr Jack

Caporegime
Joined
19 May 2004
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Location
Nordfriesland, Germany
Seriously, read this.

Drowning doesn't look like drowning

Here's the skinny: people who are drowning cannot shout for help, they need that air for breathing, and they cannot wave their arms, they need those arms to try and keep their heads above water. Every year 375 children drown within 25 yards of their parents, in most cases, those parents didn't realise their child was drowning because they didn't know what drowning looks like.

Can you imagine how unbelievably awful that must be? Spending the rest of your life knowing your own child drowned in front of you because you didn't even notice. So, yeah, read the article. Learn what drowning looks like. One day it might save someone's life.
 
Do not confuse drowning to struggling to swim, chances are the moment you do drown, as in the attempt to inhale bringing in liquid to the stomach and lungs, your throat constricts and you're out cold. If you have drowned, you're not concious to do any of the above.
Albeit, struggling to swim without help does lead to someone drowning, I'm surprised they don't go on to say what to do if they do drown, because if you're too retarded to see it happen to your child you're going to need to know how to save them after.

I've seen what happens when someone drowns, it's over in about 2 seconds.
 
I've been close to drowning, well at least I think I have

I was body boarding a few years ago, and all of a sudden had really bad cramp in both of my thighs, all I could do was curl up in a ball to try and stop the pain of it. Meanwhile, waves crashing down on me, pinning me to the sea bed. Was probably only under for about 30 seconds.

But when you're in pain, out of breath and in a state of panic, it feels like forever!
 
bledd. said:
I've been close to drowning, well at least I think I have

I was body boarding a few years ago, and all of a sudden had really bad cramp in both of my thighs, all I could do was curl up in a ball to try and stop the pain of it. Meanwhile, waves crashing down on me, pinning me to the sea bed. Was probably only under for about 30 seconds.

But when you're in pain, out of breath and in a state of panic, it feels like forever!
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i know that feeling . . my first time at trying to surf, got knocked off and swept against the sea bed, powerful waves crashing on top of me, was a very scary moment
 
I think its common understanding that water is drawn into the lungs when you inhale underwater/drown. I don't believe this to be true. I have read that you die of asphication because your lungs cant expand strong enough to break the pressure.
 
MiNxYyY said:
i know that feeling . . my first time at trying to surf, got knocked off and swept against the sea bed, powerful waves crashing on top of me, was a very scary moment
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I was very used to the sea, and had never experienced thigh cramp before, so it really caught me off guard.

Had it once whilst on my pc, damn it hurts :p
 
bledd. said:
I was very used to the sea, and had never experienced thigh cramp before, so it really caught me off guard.

Had it once whilst on my pc, damn it hurts :p
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ye me too :p Jumping around the room like a mad man trying to get rid of it :p
 
ChroniC said:
I think its common understanding that water is drawn into the lungs when you inhale underwater/drown. I don't believe this to be true. I have read that you die of asphication because your lungs cant expand strong enough to break the pressure.
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Basically water in the lungs will stop oxygen getting into the bloodstream ,also fresh water will dilute the bloodstream and can cause a heart attack, salt water will thicken the blood. and cause problems, in any case, even if someone is resuscitated they are far from being clear of dying.

There is also dry drowning which is when the throat closes to stop liquid entering but also restricts breathing
 
16 years ago when my son was 5, he almost drowned in the hotel pool in Benidorm. Fortunately for us my wife was actually sat next to the pool when it happened and got someone's husband to get him out.

So yes, it can and does happen right under your nose. If you have young 'uns then it's best watch them while they're swimming.
 
bledd. said:
I've been close to drowning, well at least I think I have

I was body boarding a few years ago, and all of a sudden had really bad cramp in both of my thighs, all I could do was curl up in a ball to try and stop the pain of it. Meanwhile, waves crashing down on me, pinning me to the sea bed. Was probably only under for about 30 seconds.

But when you're in pain, out of breath and in a state of panic, it feels like forever!
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My Dad got cramp while swimming when he was young, I don't think he's ever gone swimming again because it got to him so much
 
Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are n the water:

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.
Click to expand...

That is quite a list. Thanks for sharing, you never know when it may be useful. :)
 
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