Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

July 9, 2010

According to Mario Vittone, the normal images we associate with drowning come from the movies and television… and they’re all wrong. His article, entitled Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning is definitely a must-read, if you’re going to be anywhere near the water.

There’s a difference between aquatic distress and actual drowning: a person in aquatic distress can yell or signal for help, and generally still assist in their own rescue. True drowning though? It’s oftentimes quiet and without noise, as a result of the Instictive Drowning Response.

To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening.

This article was shocking news to me, and like most everyone else I always assumed drowning = splashing and thrashing about. This is a great read, particularly if you’ve got kids or a pool. Eye-opening, to say the least.

[via MetaFilter, CC Photo via Charlotte Faye Addison]

compelling read

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