View source for Drowning

{{Short description|Respiratory impairment caused by submersion in liquid}}
{{redirect|Drown|other uses|Drowning (disambiguation)|and|Drown (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name          = Drowning
| image         = Wassilij Grigorjewitsch Perow 002.jpg
| caption       = [[Vasily Perov]]: ''The Drowned'', 1867
| field         = [[Emergency medicine]], [[Critical care medicine]]
| symptoms      = '''Event''': Often occurs silently with a person found [[Unconsciousness|unconscious]]<ref name=CDC2017>{{cite web |title=Drowning |url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/Drowning.html |website=CDC |access-date=9 August 2018 |language=en-US |date=15 September 2017 |archive-date=10 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510212749/http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/drowning.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Fer2018>{{cite book |last=Ferri |first=Fred F. |title=Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2018 E-Book: 5 Books in 1 |date=2017 |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn=9780323529570 |page=404 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wGclDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA404}}</ref><br/>'''After rescue''': Breathing problems, confusion, unconsciousness<ref name=Fer2018/><ref name=Mer2017/>
| complications = [[Hypothermia]], [[pulmonary aspiration|aspiration]], [[acute respiratory distress syndrome]]<ref name=BMJ2014/>
| onset         = Rapid<ref name=Mer2017/>
| duration      = 
| types         = 
| causes        = 
| risks         = Alcohol use, [[epilepsy]], access to water,<ref name=WHO2015Pre/> [[cold water shock]], [[storms]]
| diagnosis     = Based on symptoms<ref name=Mer2017/>
| differential  = [[Suicide]], [[seizure]], [[murder]], [[hypoglycemia]], [[heart arrhythmia]]<ref name=Fer2018/>
| prevention    = Fencing pools, teaching children to swim, safe boating practices<ref name=WHO2018Fact/><ref name=WHO2015Pre/>
| treatment     = [[Rescue breathing]], [[CPR]], [[mechanical ventilation]]<ref name=AFP2016/>
| medication    = [[Oxygen therapy]], [[intravenous fluids]], [[vasopressors]]<ref name=AFP2016/>
| frequency     = 4.5 million (2015)<ref name=GBD2018>{{cite journal |author=((GBD 2013 Mortality and Causes of Death)) |title=Global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 |journal=[[The Lancet]] |volume=385 |issue=9963 |pages=117–171 |date=17 December 2014 |pmid=25530442 |pmc=4340604 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61682-2}}</ref>
| deaths        = 300,000 (2024)<ref name=WHO2018Fact/>
| alt           = 
}}

'''Drowning''' is a type of [[Asphyxia|suffocation]] induced by the submersion of the mouth and nose in a liquid. Submersion injury refers to both drowning and near-miss incidents. Most instances of fatal drowning occur alone or in situations where others present are either unaware of the victim's situation or unable to offer assistance. After successful [[resuscitation]], drowning victims may experience breathing problems, confusion, or [[unconsciousness]]. Occasionally, victims may not begin experiencing these symptoms until several hours after they are rescued. An incident of drowning can also cause further complications for victims due to [[Hypothermia|low body temperature]], [[Pulmonary aspiration|aspiration]], or [[acute respiratory distress syndrome]] (respiratory failure from lung inflammation).

Drowning is more likely to happen when spending extended periods of time near large bodies of water.<ref name=BMJ2014>{{cite journal |last=Handley |first=AJ |title=Drowning |journal=BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) |volume=348 |pages=g1734 |date=16 April 2014 |pmid=24740929 |s2cid=220103200 |doi=10.1136/bmj.g1734}}</ref><ref name=WHO2018Fact/> Risk factors for drowning include alcohol use, drug use, [[epilepsy]], minimal swim training or a complete lack of training, and, in the case of children, a lack of supervision.<ref name=WHO2018Fact/> Common drowning locations include natural and man-made bodies of water, [[bathtub]]s, and [[swimming pool]]s.<ref name=Mer2017>{{cite web |title=Drowning – Injuries; Poisoning – Merck Manuals Professional Edition |url=https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/drowning/drowning |website=Merck Manuals Professional Edition |access-date=9 August 2018 |date=September 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809185729/https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/drowning/drowning |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AFP2016">{{cite journal |last1=Mott |first1=TF |last2=Latimer |first2=KM |title=Prevention and Treatment of Drowning |journal=American Family Physician |volume=93 |issue=7 |pages=576–582 |date=1 April 2016 |pmid=27035042}}</ref>

Drowning occurs when a person spends too much time with their nose and mouth submerged in a liquid to the point of being unable to breathe. If this is not followed by an exit to the surface, [[Hypoxia (medical)|low oxygen levels]] and [[Hypercapnia|excess carbon dioxide in the blood]] trigger a neurological state of breathing emergency, which results in increased physical distress and occasional [[Laryngospasm|contractions of the vocal folds]].<ref name=North02>{{cite journal|last=North|first=Robert|date=December 2002|title=The pathophysiology of drowning|journal=South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal|volume=32|issue=4|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228699347|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314091512/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228699347_The_pathophysiology_of_drowning|url-status=live}}</ref> Significant amounts of water usually only enter the lungs later in the process.<ref name="BMJ2014" />

While the word "drowning" is commonly associated with fatal results, drowning may be classified into three different types: drowning that results in death, drowning that results in long-lasting health problems, and drowning that results in no health complications.<ref name="WHO2005">{{cite journal|last1=van Beeck|first1=EF|last2=Branche|first2=CM|last3=Szpilman|first3=D|last4=Modell|first4=JH|last5=Bierens|first5=JJ|date=November 2005|title=A new definition of drowning: towards documentation and prevention of a global public health problem|journal=Bulletin of the World Health Organization|volume=83|issue=11|pages=853–6|pmc=2626470|pmid=16302042}}</ref> Sometimes the term "near-drowning" is used in the latter cases. Among children who survive, health problems occur in about 7.5% of cases.<ref name="AFP2016" />

Steps to prevent drowning include teaching children and adults to swim and to recognise unsafe water conditions, never swimming alone, use of [[personal flotation device]]s on boats and when swimming in unfavourable conditions, limiting or removing access to water (such as with fencing of swimming pools), and exercising appropriate supervision.<ref name="WHO2018Fact">{{cite web |title=Drowning |date=2020 |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning |website=WHO |access-date=4 October 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623012321/https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WHO2015Pre">{{cite book |title=Preventing drowning: an implementation guide |date=2015 |publisher=WHO |isbn=978-92-4-151193-3 |page=2 |url=https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/255196/9789241511933-eng.pdf |access-date=9 August 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011225251/https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/255196/9789241511933-eng.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Treatment of victims who are not breathing should begin with opening the airway and providing five breaths of [[mouth-to-mouth resuscitation]].<ref name="AFP2016" /> [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] (CPR) is recommended for a person whose [[cardiac arrest|heart has stopped beating]] and has been underwater for less than an hour.<ref name="AFP2016" />

<!-- Epidemiology -->== Causes ==
[[File:Drowning child warning.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Children have drowned in buckets and toilets.]]

A major contributor to drowning is the inability to swim. Other contributing factors include the state of the water itself, distance from a solid footing, physical impairment, or prior loss of consciousness. Anxiety brought on by fear of drowning or water itself can lead to exhaustion, thus increasing the chances of drowning.

Approximately 90% of drownings take place in freshwater (rivers, lakes, and a relatively small number of [[swimming pool]]s); the remaining 10% take place in [[seawater]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Handley|first=Anthony J.|date=2014-04-16|title=Drowning|url=https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1734|journal=BMJ|volume=348|pages=bmj.g1734|doi=10.1136/bmj.g1734|issn=0959-8138|pmid=24740929|s2cid=220103200|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305200941/https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1734|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Drownings in other fluids are rare and often related to [[industrial accidents]].<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Accident Search Results Page|url=https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/AccidentSearch.search?acc_keyword=%22Drown%22&keyword_list=on|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018053655/https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/AccidentSearch.search?acc_keyword=%22Drown%22&keyword_list=on|archive-date=18 October 2020|access-date=2020-12-09|website=[[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]]}}</ref> In New Zealand's early colonial history, so many settlers died while trying to cross the rivers that drowning was called "the New Zealand death".<ref name="Young 2012">{{cite web |last=Young |first=David |title=Rivers – The impact of European settlement |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/rivers/page-4 |publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=7 January 2015 |date=13 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602100313/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/rivers/page-4 |archive-date=2 June 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

People have drowned in as little as {{cvt|30|mm}} of water while lying face down.<ref name="Gulli et al 2011">{{cite book |last1=Gulli |first1=Benjamin |first2=Joseph A. |last2=Ciatolla |first3=Leaugeay |last3=Barnes |title=Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IqDOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1157 |year=2011 |publisher=Jones and Bartlett |location=Sudbury, Massachusetts |isbn=9780763778286 |page=1157 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125212947/https://books.google.com/books?id=IqDOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1157&lpg=PA1157&dq= |archive-date=25 November 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Death can occur due to complications following an initial drowning. Inhaled fluid can act as an [[irritation|irritant]] inside the [[lungs]]. Even small quantities can cause the extrusion of liquid into the lungs ([[pulmonary edema]]) over the following hours; this reduces the ability to exchange the air and can lead to a person "drowning in their own body fluid". Vomit and certain poisonous vapors or gases (as in [[chemical warfare]]) can have a similar effect.  The reaction can take place up to 72 hours after the initial incident and may lead to a serious injury or death.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Clarke|first1=E. B.|last2=Niggemann|first2=E. H.|date=November 1975|title=Near-drowning |journal=Heart & Lung: The Journal of Critical Care|volume=4|issue=6|pages=946–955|issn=0147-9563|pmid=1042029}}</ref>

=== Risk factors===
{{Globalize|date=January 2023|2=US}}
Many behavioral and physical factors are related to drowning:<ref name="CDC Drowning 2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/drowning.html|title=Drowning|last=Staff|date=23 September 2014|work=CDC Tip sheets|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|location=Atlanta. Georgia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203161559/https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/drowning.html|archive-date=3 February 2017|access-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="CDC facts 2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html|title=Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts|last=Staff|date=28 April 2016|work=Home and Recreational Safety|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|location=Atlanta, Georgia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025556/https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

*Drowning is the most common cause of death for people with seizure disorders, largely in bathtubs. Epileptics are more likely to die due to accidents such as drowning. However, this risk is especially elevated in low and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Watila|first1=Musa M.|last2=Balarabe|first2=Salisu A.|last3=Ojo|first3=Olubamiwo|last4=Keezer|first4=Mark R.|last5=Sander|first5=Josemir W.|date=October 2018|title=Overall and cause-specific premature mortality in epilepsy: A systematic review|url=http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10057049/1/MAIN%20DOCUMENT_CoD%20Ep%26Bev%20FINAL_12.6.18%20%281%29.pdf|journal=Epilepsy & Behavior|volume=87|pages=213–225|doi=10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.07.017|issn=1525-5050|pmid=30154056|s2cid=52114431}}</ref>
*The use of alcohol increases the risk of drowning across developed and developing nations. Alcohol is involved in approximately 50% of fatal drownings, and 35% of non-fatal drownings.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hamilton|first1=Kyra|last2=Keech|first2=Jacob J.|last3=Peden|first3=Amy E.|last4=Hagger|first4=Martin S.|date=2018-06-03|title=Alcohol use, aquatic injury, and unintentional drowning: A systematic literature review|url=http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-201812145135|journal=Drug and Alcohol Review|volume=37|issue=6|pages=752–773|doi=10.1111/dar.12817|issn=0959-5236|pmid=29862582|s2cid=44151090|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314091530/https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/60695|url-status=live|hdl=10072/382200|hdl-access=free}}</ref> 
* Inability to swim can lead to drowning. Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce this risk. The optimal age to start the lessons is childhood, between one and four years of age.<ref name="who">{{cite web|title=Drowning|url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning|access-date=2020-10-03|website=www.who.int|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623012321/https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Feeling overly tired reduces swimming performance. This exhaustion can be aggravated by anxious movements motivated by fear during or in anticipation of drowning. An overconfident appraisal of one's own physical capabilities can lead to "swimming out too far" and exhaustion before returning to solid footing.
* Free access to water can be hazardous, especially to young children. Barriers can prevent young children from gaining access to the water.
* Ineffective supervision, since drowning can occur anywhere there is water, even in the presence of lifeguards.
* Risk can vary with location depending on age. Children between one and four more commonly drown in home swimming pools than elsewhere. Drownings in natural water settings increase with age. More than half of drownings occurring among those fifteen years and older occurred in natural water environments.<ref name="who"/>
* Familial or genetic history of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) can predispose children to drown.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#:~:text=Drowning%20may%20result%20in%20an,Hypoxemia%20is%20the%20overriding%20insult | title=Drowning: Background, Etiology, Epidemiology | date=21 October 2021 }}</ref> Extensive genetic testing and/or consultation with a cardiologist should be done when there is a high suspicion of familial history and/or clinical evidence of sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death.
* Individuals with undetected primary cardiac arrhythmias, as cold water immersion or aquatic exercise can induce these arrhythmias to occur.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Kenny D, Martin R |title=Drowning and sudden cardiac death |journal=Arch Dis Child |volume=96 |issue=1 |pages=5–8 |date=January 2011 |pmid=20584851 |doi=10.1136/adc.2010.185215 }}</ref>

Population groups at risk in the US are the old and young.<ref name="CDC Drowning 2014" />
*Youth: drowning rates are highest for children under five years of age and people fifteen to twenty-four years of age.
*Minorities: the fatal unintentional drowning rate for African Americans above the age of 29 between 1999 and 2010 was statistically significantly higher than that of white people above the age of 29.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gilcrest |first1=Julia |last2=Parker |first2=Erin |title=Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Fatal Unintentional Drowning Among Persons Aged ≤29 Years — United States, 1999–2010 |journal=Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report |date=May 2014 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6319a2.htm?s_cid=mm6319a2_w |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110221330/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6319a2.htm?s_cid=mm6319a2_w |url-status=live }}</ref>  The fatal drowning rate of African American children of ages from five to fourteen is almost three times that of white children in the same age range and 5.5 times higher in swimming pools. These disparities might be associated with a lack of basic swimming education in some minority populations.

=== Freediving ===
Some additional causes of drowning can also happen during [[freediving]] activities:

* [[Ascent blackout]], also called deep water blackout, is caused by [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]] during ascent from depth. The [[partial pressure]] of oxygen in the lungs under pressure at the bottom of a deep free dive is adequate to support consciousness but drops below the blackout threshold as the water pressure decreases on the ascent. It usually occurs when arriving near the surface as the pressure approaches normal atmospheric pressure.<ref name="Campbell 1996">{{cite web |url=http://www.scuba-doc.com/latenthypoxia.html |title=Free Diving and Shallow Water Blackout |last=Campbell |first=Ernest |year=1996 |work=Diving Medicine Online |publisher=scuba-doc.com |access-date=24 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918143331/http://www.scuba-doc.com/latenthypoxia.html |archive-date=18 September 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* [[Freediving blackout#Shallow water blackout|Shallow water blackout]] caused by [[hyperventilation]] prior to swimming or diving. The primary urge to breathe is triggered by rising [[carbon dioxide]] ({{CO2}}) levels in the bloodstream.<ref name="pmid17274316">{{cite journal |last1=Lindholm |first1=P. |last2=Lundgren |first2=C.E. |title=Alveolar gas composition before and after maximal breath-holds in competitive divers |journal=Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine |volume=33 |issue=6 |pages=463–7 |year=2006 |pmid=17274316 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6530979 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The body detects {{CO2}} levels accurately and relies on this to control breathing.<ref name=pmid17274316/> Hyperventilation reduces the carbon dioxide content of the blood but leaves the diver susceptible to a sudden loss of consciousness without warning from hypoxia. There is no bodily sensation that warns a diver of an impending blackout, and people (often capable swimmers swimming under the surface in shallow water) become unconscious and drown quietly without alerting anyone to the fact that there is a problem and they are typically found at the bottom.

== Pathophysiology ==
Drowning is split into four stages:<ref name="Harle 2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/forensicsdrowning.html|title=Drowning|last=Harle|first=Lindsey|date=August 2012|work=Forensic pathology: Types of injuries|publisher=PathologyOutlines.com|access-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207201657/http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/forensicsdrowning.html|archive-date=7 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
# Breath-hold under voluntary control until the urge to breathe due to [[hypercapnia]] becomes overwhelming
# Fluid is swallowed and/or aspirated into the airways
# Cerebral anoxia stops breathing and aspiration 
# Cerebral injury due to anoxia becomes irreversible

People who do not know how to swim can struggle on the surface of the water for only 20 to 60 seconds before being submerged.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Frank |last=Pia |title=Observations on the drowning of non-swimmers |journal=Journal of Physical Education |volume=71 |issue=6 |pages=164–7 |date=1974 |doi= |url=}}</ref> In the early stages of drowning, a person holds their breath to prevent water from entering their lungs.<ref name=AFP2016/> When this is no longer possible, a small amount of water entering the trachea causes a muscular spasm that seals the airway and prevents further passage of water.<ref name=AFP2016/> If the process is not interrupted, loss of consciousness due to hypoxia is followed by cardiac arrest.

===Oxygen deprivation===
A conscious person will hold their breath {{xref|(see: [[Apnea]])}} and will try to access air, often resulting in [[panic]], including rapid body movement. This uses up more oxygen in the bloodstream and reduces the time until unconsciousness. The person can voluntarily hold their breath for some time, but the breathing reflex will increase until the person {{em|does}} try to breathe, even when submerged.<ref name="Gorman2008">{{cite book |last=Gorman |first=Mark |editor=Jose Biller |title=Interface of Neurology and Internal Medicine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SRIvmTVcYBwC&pg=PA702 |access-date=9 May 2013 |year=2008 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn=978-0-7817-7906-7 |pages=702–6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619074907/http://books.google.com/books?id=SRIvmTVcYBwC&pg=PA702 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The breathing reflex in the human body is weakly related to the amount of [[oxygen]] in the [[blood]] but strongly related to the amount of [[carbon dioxide]] {{xref|(see: [[Hypercapnia]])}}. During an apnea, the oxygen in the body is used by the [[cell (biology)|cells]] and excreted as carbon dioxide. Thus, the level of oxygen in the blood decreases, and the level of carbon dioxide increases. Increasing carbon dioxide levels lead to a stronger and stronger breathing reflex, up to the ''breath-hold breakpoint'', at which the person can no longer voluntarily hold their breath. This typically occurs at an arterial [[partial pressure]] of carbon dioxide of 55&nbsp;mm Hg but may differ significantly between people.

When submerged into cold water, breath-holding time is significantly shorter than that in air due to the [[cold shock response]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tipton |first=M. J. |date=1989 |title=The initial responses to cold-water immersion in man |journal=Clinical Science |volume=77 |issue=6 |pages=581–8 |doi=10.1042/cs0770581 |issn=0143-5221 |pmid=2691172}}</ref> The breath-hold breakpoint can be suppressed or delayed, either intentionally or unintentionally. [[Hyperventilation]] before any dive, deep or shallow, flushes out carbon dioxide in the blood resulting in a dive commencing with an abnormally low carbon dioxide level: a potentially dangerous condition known as [[hypocapnia]]. The level of [[carbon dioxide]] in the blood after hyperventilation may then be insufficient to trigger the breathing reflex later in the dive.

Following this, a blackout may occur before the diver feels an urgent need to breathe. This can occur at any depth and is common in distance breath-hold divers [[Freediving blackout#Shallow water blackout|in swimming pools]]. Both deep and distance free divers often use hyperventilation to flush out carbon dioxide from the lungs to suppress the breathing reflex for longer. It is important not to mistake this for an attempt to increase the body's oxygen store. The body at rest is fully oxygenated by normal breathing and cannot take on any more. Breath-holding in water should always be supervised by a second person, as by hyperventilating, one increases the risk of shallow water blackout because insufficient carbon dioxide levels in the blood fail to trigger the breathing reflex.<ref name="Lindholm 2006">{{cite conference |url=http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/shareID4128542/fileID186208691/UHMS-DAN_BH_2006.pdf#page=31 |last=Lindholm |first=Peter |title=Physiological mechanisms involved in the risk of loss of consciousness during breath-hold diving |editor1-last=Lindholm |editor1-first=P. |editor2-last=Pollock |editor2-first=N. W. |editor3-last=Lundgren |editor3-first=C. E. G. |year=2006 |book-title=Breath-hold diving. Proceedings of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society/Divers Alert Network 2006 June 20–21 Workshop. |publisher=Divers Alert Network |page=26 |access-date=24 January 2017 |location=Durham, NC |isbn=978-1-930536-36-4 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

A continued lack of oxygen in the brain, [[hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]], will quickly render a person unconscious, usually around a blood partial pressure of oxygen of 25–30 mmHg.<ref name="Lindholm 2006" /> An unconscious person rescued with an airway still sealed from [[laryngospasm]] stands a good chance of a full recovery. [[Artificial respiration]] is also much more effective without water in the lungs. At this point, the person stands a good chance of recovery if attended to within minutes.<ref name="Lindholm 2006" /> More than 10% of drownings may involve [[laryngospasm]], but the evidence{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} suggests that it is not usually effective at preventing water from entering the trachea. The lack of water found in the lungs during autopsy does not necessarily mean there was no water at the time of drowning, as small amounts of freshwater are absorbed into the bloodstream. Hypercapnia and hypoxia both contribute to laryngeal relaxation, after which the airway is open through the trachea. There is also bronchospasm and mucous production in the bronchi associated with laryngospasm, and these may prevent water entry at terminal relaxation.<ref name=North02/>

The hypoxemia and acidosis caused by [[asphyxia]] in drowning affect various organs. There can be central nervous system damage, cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary injury, reperfusion injury, and multiple-organ secondary injury with prolonged tissue hypoxia.<ref name="Cantwell 2016b">{{cite web|url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#a3|title=Drowning: Pathophysiology|last=Cantwell|first=G Patricia|date=5 July 2016|work=Drugs & Diseases - Emergency Medicine|publisher=Medscape|access-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204004435/http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#a3|archive-date=4 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

A lack of oxygen or chemical changes in the lungs may cause the heart to stop beating. This [[cardiac arrest]] stops the flow of blood and thus stops the transport of oxygen to the brain. Cardiac arrest used to be the traditional point of death, but at this point, there is still a chance of recovery. The brain cannot survive long without oxygen, and the continued lack of oxygen in the blood, combined with the cardiac arrest, will lead to the deterioration of brain cells, causing first [[brain damage]] and eventually [[brain death]] after six minutes from which recovery is generally considered impossible. Hypothermia of the central nervous system may prolong this. In cold temperatures below 6&nbsp;°C, the brain may be cooled sufficiently to allow for a survival time of more than an hour.<ref name="Hill-2020">{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Erin |title=How Long Can the Brain Be without Oxygen before Brain Damage? |url=https://www.wisegeek.com/how-long-can-the-brain-be-without-oxygen-before-brain-damage.htm |website=wisegeek |access-date=1 November 2020 |date=October 10, 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107200923/https://www.wisegeek.com/how-long-can-the-brain-be-without-oxygen-before-brain-damage.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tipton |first1=Michael J. |last2=Golden |first2=Frank St C. |date=2011 |title=A proposed decision-making guide for the search, rescue and resuscitation of submersion (head under) victims based on expert opinion |journal=Resuscitation |volume=82 |issue=7 |pages=819–824 |doi=10.1016/j.resuscitation.2011.02.021 |issn=1873-1570 |pmid=21458133}}</ref>

The extent of central nervous system injury to a large extent determines the survival and long term consequences of drowning, In the case of children, most survivors are found within 2 minutes of immersion, and most fatalities are found after 10 minutes or more.<ref name="Cantwell 2016b" />

=== Water aspiration ===
If water enters the [[airway]]s of a conscious person, the person will try to cough up the water or swallow it, often inhaling more water involuntarily.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" /> When water enters the larynx or trachea, both conscious and unconscious people experience [[laryngospasm]], in which the [[Vocal folds|vocal cords]] constrict, sealing the [[Vertebrate trachea|airway]]. This prevents water from entering the [[lung]]s. Because of this laryngospasm, in the initial phase of drowning, water enters the stomach, and very little water enters the lungs. Though laryngospasm prevents water from entering the lungs, it also interferes with breathing. In most people, the laryngospasm relaxes sometime after unconsciousness due to hypoxia in the [[larynx]], and water can then enter the lungs, causing a "wet drowning". However, about 7–10% of people maintain this seal until [[cardiac arrest]].<ref name="Gorman2008" /> This has been called "[[dry drowning]]", as no water enters the lungs. In [[forensic pathology]], water in the lungs indicates that the person was still alive at the point of submersion. An absence of water in the lungs may be either a dry drowning or indicates a death before submersion.<ref name="DiMaio2001">{{cite book |first1=Dominick |last1=DiMaio |first2=Vincent J.M. |last2=DiMaio |title=Forensic Pathology |edition= 2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XyG3802xSdwC&pg=PA405 |access-date=9 May 2013 |date=28 June 2001 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-8493-0072-1 |pages=405–|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619081108/http://books.google.com/books?id=XyG3802xSdwC&pg=PA405 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><!-- Aren't these terms outdated, as said in the society and culture section? Then why are these terms used here, even though they are no longer used? -->

Aspirated water that reaches the alveoli destroys the [[pulmonary surfactant]], which causes pulmonary edema and decreased lung compliance, compromising oxygenation in affected parts of the lungs. This is associated with metabolic acidosis, secondary fluid, and electrolyte shifts. During alveolar fluid exchange, [[diatom]]s present in the water may pass through the alveolar wall into the capillaries to be carried to internal organs. The presence of these diatoms may be diagnostic of drowning.

Of people who have survived drowning, almost one-third will experience complications such as acute lung injury (ALI) or [[acute respiratory distress syndrome]] (ARDS).<ref name="Jin-2017">{{cite journal|last1=Jin|first1=Faguang|last2=Li|first2=Congcong|date=2017-04-05|title=Seawater-drowning-induced acute lung injury: From molecular mechanisms to potential treatments|journal=Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine|volume=13|issue=6|pages=2591–8|doi=10.3892/etm.2017.4302 |pmc=5450642|pmid=28587319}}</ref> ALI/ARDS can be triggered by pneumonia, sepsis, and [[Aspiration pneumonia|water aspiration]]. These conditions are life-threatening disorders that can result in death if not treated promptly.<ref name="Jin-2017" /> During drowning, aspirated water enters the lung tissues, causes a reduction in [[pulmonary surfactant]], obstructs ventilation, and triggers a release of inflammatory mediators which results in [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]].<ref name="Jin-2017" /> Specifically, upon reaching the alveoli, hypotonic liquid found in freshwater dilutes pulmonary surfactant, destroying the substance.<ref name="Physiology">{{cite journal |vauthors=Bierens JJ, Lunetta P, Tipton M, Warner DS |title=Physiology Of Drowning: A Review |journal=Physiology (Bethesda) |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=147–66 |date=March 2016 |pmid=26889019 |doi=10.1152/physiol.00002.2015 |url=https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/physiology-of-drowning(3a9033db-4499-44e8-a968-ed39c8521f68).html }}</ref> Comparatively, aspiration of hypertonic seawater draws liquid from the plasma into the alveoli and similarly causes damage to surfactant by disrupting the alveolar-capillary membrane.<ref name="Physiology" /> Still, there is no clinical difference between salt and freshwater drowning. Once someone has reached definitive care, supportive care strategies such as [[mechanical ventilation]] can help to reduce the complications of ALI/ARDS.<ref name="Jin-2017" />

Whether a person drowns in freshwater or salt water makes no difference in respiratory management or its outcome.<ref name="Michelet-2018">{{cite journal|last1=Michelet|first1=Pierre|last2=Dusart|first2=Marion|last3=Boiron|first3=Laurence|last4=Marmin|first4=Julien|last5=Mokni|first5=Tarak|last6=Loundou|first6=Anderson|last7=Coulange|first7=Mathieu|last8=Markarian|first8=Thibaut|date=2018-08-03|title=Drowning in fresh or salt water|journal=European Journal of Emergency Medicine|volume=26|issue=5|pages=340–4|doi=10.1097/mej.0000000000000564|pmid=30080702|s2cid=51929866|issn=0969-9546}}</ref> People who drown in freshwater may experience worse [[hypoxemia]] early in their treatment; however, this initial difference is short-lived.<ref name="Michelet-2018" />

=== Cold-water immersion ===
<!-- NOT HYPOTHERMIA, WHICH WOULD BE A MISLEADING TITLE. SEE TEXT OF THIS SECTION-->
Submerging the face in water cooler than about {{convert|21|°C|°F}} triggers the [[diving reflex]], common to air-breathing vertebrates, especially [[marine mammal]]s such as [[whale]]s and [[Pinniped|seals]]. This reflex protects the body by putting it into ''energy-saving'' mode to maximise the time it can stay underwater. The strength of this reflex is greater in colder water and has three principal effects:<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tipton|first=Mike|date=2003-12-01|title=Cold water immersion: sudden death and prolonged survival|journal=The Lancet|volume=362|pages=s12–s13|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(03)15057-X|issn=0140-6736|pmid=14698111|s2cid=44633363|doi-access=free}}</ref><!--refs may be available in [[Cold shock]]-->
* [[Bradycardia]], a slowing of the [[heart rate]] to less than 60 beats per minute.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Mayo Clinic}}</ref>
* Peripheral [[vasoconstriction]], the restriction of the blood flow to the extremities to increase the blood and oxygen supply to the vital organs, especially the [[brain]].
* Blood shift, the shifting of blood to the [[thoracic cavity]], the region of the chest between the diaphragm and the neck, to avoid the collapse of the lungs under higher pressure during deeper dives.

The reflex action is automatic and allows both a conscious and an unconscious person to survive longer without oxygen underwater than in a comparable situation on dry land. The exact mechanism for this effect has been debated and may be a result of brain cooling similar to the protective effects seen in people who are treated with deep [[hypothermia]].<ref name=uhms1985>{{cite conference |editor1-last=Lundgren |editor1-first=Claus E. G. |editor2-last=Ferrigno |editor2-first=Massimo |title=Physiology of Breath-hold Diving. 31st Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Workshop |volume=UHMS Publication Number 72(WS-BH)4-15-87. |publisher=[[Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society]] |year=1985 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7992 |access-date=24 April 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602002747/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7992 |archive-date=2 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="pmid19231924">{{cite journal |last1=Mackensen |first1=G. B. |last2=McDonagh |first2=D. L. |last3=Warner |first3=D. S. |title=Perioperative hypothermia: use and therapeutic implications |journal=J. Neurotrauma |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=342–58 |date=March 2009 |pmid=19231924 |doi=10.1089/neu.2008.0596 }}</ref>

The actual cause of death in cold or very cold water is usually lethal [[Involuntary action|bodily reactions]] to increased heat loss and to freezing water, rather than any loss of core body temperature. Of those who die after plunging into freezing seas, around 20% die within 2 minutes from [[cold shock response|cold shock]] (uncontrolled [[hyperventilation|rapid breathing]] and gasping causing water inhalation, a massive increase in blood pressure and cardiac strain leading to [[cardiac arrest]], and [[panic]]), another 50% die within 15 – 30 minutes from [[cold incapacitation]] (loss of use and control of limbs and hands for swimming or gripping, as the body 'protectively' shuts down the peripheral muscles of the limbs to protect its core),<ref name="vittone-cold-immersion">{{cite web |url=http://mariovittone.com/2010/10/the-truth-about-cold-water/ |title=The Truth About Cold Water |last=Vittone |first=Mario |date=21 October 2010 |work=Survival |publisher=Mario Vittone |access-date=24 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114154556/http://mariovittone.com/2010/10/the-truth-about-cold-water/ |archive-date=14 January 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and exhaustion and unconsciousness cause drowning, claiming the rest within a similar time.<ref name="cold water table">{{cite web|url=http://www.usps.org/national/ensign/uspscompass/compassarchive/compassv1n1/hypothermia.htm|access-date=19 February 2008|title=Hypothermia safety|publisher=[[United States Power Squadrons]]|date=23 January 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208180845/http://www.usps.org/national/ensign/uspscompass/compassarchive/compassv1n1/hypothermia.htm|archive-date=8 December 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A notable example of this occurred during the [[Sinking of the RMS Titanic|sinking of the ''Titanic'']], in which most people who entered the {{convert|-2|C|F}} water died within 15–30 minutes.<ref name="Butler 1999">{{cite book |last=Butler |first=Daniel Allen |title=Unsinkable: The Full Story of RMS ''Titanic'' |url=https://archive.org/details/unsinkablefullst00butl |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=Mechanicsburg, PA |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-8117-1814-1}}</ref>

{{blockquote|1=[S]omething that almost no one in the maritime industry understands. That includes mariners [and] even many (most) rescue professionals: It is impossible to die from [[hypothermia]] in cold water unless you are wearing flotation, because without flotation – you won't live long enough to become hypothermic. | 2=Mario Vittone, lecturer and author in water rescue and survival<ref name="vittone-cold-immersion" />}}

Submersion into cold water can induce [[cardiac arrhythmias]] (abnormal heart rates) in healthy people, sometimes causing strong swimmers to drown.<ref name="Shattock-2012">{{cite journal |last1=Shattock |first1=Michael J. |last2=Tipton |first2=Michael J. |title='Autonomic conflict': a different way to die during cold water immersion? |journal=The Journal of Physiology |volume=590 |issue=14 |pages=3219–30 |date=2012-06-14 |issn=0022-3751 |pmc=3459038 |pmid=22547634 |doi=10.1113/jphysiol.2012.229864}}</ref> The physiological effects caused by the diving reflex conflict with the body's cold shock response, which includes a gasp and uncontrollable [[hyperventilation]] leading to aspiration of water.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tipton |first1=M.J. |last2=Collier |first2=N. |last3=Massey |first3=H. |last4=Corbett |first4=J. |last5=Harper |first5=M. |title=Cold water immersion: kill or cure? |url=https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/cold-water-immersion(ae53d843-6ca2-4e50-a7c2-59d90625f950).html |url-status=live |journal=Experimental Physiology |volume=102 |issue=11 |pages=1335–55 |date=2017-09-21 |access-date=25 January 2020 |pmid=28833689 |issn=0958-0670 |doi=10.1113/ep086283 |doi-access=free |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730013600/https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/cold-water-immersion(ae53d843-6ca2-4e50-a7c2-59d90625f950).html |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> While breath-holding triggers a slower [[heart rate]], cold [[Shock (circulatory)|shock]] activates [[tachycardia]], an increase in heart rate.<ref name="Shattock-2012" /> It is thought that this conflict of these nervous system responses may account for the arrhythmias of cold water submersion.<ref name="Shattock-2012" />

Heat transfers very well into water, and body heat is therefore lost quickly in water compared to air,<ref name="sterba">{{cite tech report |last=Sterba |first=J.A. |title=Field Management of Accidental Hypothermia during Diving |publisher=US Navy Experimental Diving Unit |id=NTIS ADA219560 |year=1990 |access-date=11 June 2008 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727224238/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4248 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> even in 'cool' swimming waters around 70&nbsp;°F (~20&nbsp;°C).<ref name="cold water table" /> A water temperature of {{convert|10|C|F}} can lead to death in as little as one hour, and water temperatures hovering at freezing can lead to death in as little as 15 minutes.<ref name="cold water table" /> This is because cold water can have other lethal effects on the body. Hence, hypothermia is not usually a reason for drowning or the clinical cause of death for those who drown in cold water.

Upon submersion into cold water, remaining calm and preventing loss of body heat is paramount.<ref name="Schmidt-2016" /> While awaiting rescue, swimming or treading water should be limited to conserve energy, and the person should attempt to remove as much of the body from the water as possible; attaching oneself to a buoyant object can improve the chance of survival should unconsciousness occur.<ref name="Schmidt-2016" />

Hypothermia (and cardiac arrest) presents a risk for survivors of immersion. This risk increases if the survivor—feeling well again—tries to get up and move, not realizing their core body temperature is still very low and will take a long time to recover.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Most people who experience cold-water drowning do not develop hypothermia quickly enough to decrease cerebral metabolism before ischemia and irreversible [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]] occur. The neuroprotective effects appear to require water temperatures below about {{convert|5|C}}.<ref name="Cantwell 2016c">{{cite web|url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#a6|title=Drowning: Prognosis|last=Cantwell|first=G Patricia|date=5 July 2016|work=Drugs & Diseases - Emergency Medicine|publisher=Medscape|access-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204004435/http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#a6|archive-date=4 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Diagnosis==
The [[World Health Organization]] in 2005 defined drowning as "the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid."<ref name=WHO2005 /> This definition does not imply death or even the necessity for medical treatment after removing the cause, nor that any fluid enters the lungs. The WHO classifies this as [[death]], [[Disease#Morbidity|morbidity]], and no morbidity.<ref name=WHO2005/> There was also consensus that the terms wet, dry, active, passive, silent, and secondary drowning should no longer be used.<ref name=WHO2005/>

Experts differentiate between distress and drowning.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} 
* Distress – people ''in trouble'', but who can still float, signal for help, and take action.
* Drowning – people ''suffocating'' and in ''imminent danger of death within seconds''.

===Forensics===
Forensic diagnosis of drowning is considered one of the most difficult in forensic medicine. External examination and autopsy findings are often non-specific, and the available laboratory tests are often inconclusive or controversial. The purpose of an investigation is to distinguish whether the death was due to immersion or whether the body was immersed postmortem. The mechanism in acute drowning is hypoxemia and irreversible cerebral anoxia due to submersion in liquid.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removing citation to content from predatory publisher}}

Drowning would be considered a possible cause of death if the body was recovered from a body of water, near a fluid that could plausibly have caused drowning, or found with the head immersed in a fluid. A medical diagnosis of death by drowning is generally made after other possible causes of death have been excluded by a complete autopsy and toxicology tests. Indications of drowning are unambiguous and may include bloody froth in the airway, water in the stomach, [[cerebral edema]] and [[Petrous portion of the temporal bone|petrous]] or [[Mastoid part of the temporal bone|mastoid]] hemorrhage. Some evidence of immersion may be unrelated to the cause of death, and lacerations and abrasions may have occurred before or after immersion or death.<ref name="Harle 2012" />

[[Diatoms]] should normally never be present in human tissue unless water was aspirated. Their presence in tissues such as bone marrow suggests drowning; however, they are present in soil and the atmosphere, and samples may be contaminated. An absence of diatoms does not rule out drowning, as they are not always present in water.<ref name="Harle 2012" /> A match of diatom shells to those found in the water may provide supporting evidence of the place of death.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removing citation to content from predatory publisher}}  Drowning in saltwater can leave different concentrations of sodium and chloride ions in the left and right chambers of the heart, but they will dissipate if the person survived for some time after the aspiration, or if CPR was attempted,<ref name="Harle 2012" /> and have been described in other causes of death.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removing citation to content from predatory publisher}}

Most autopsy findings relate to asphyxia and are not specific to drowning. The signs of drowning are degraded by decomposition. Large amounts of froth will be present around the mouth and nostrils and in the upper and lower airways in freshly drowned bodies. The volume of froth is much greater in drowning than from other origins. Lung density may be higher than normal, but normal weights are possible after cardiac arrest or vasovagal reflex. The lungs may be overinflated and waterlogged, filling the thoracic cavity. The surface may have a marbled appearance, with darker areas associated with collapsed alveoli interspersed with paler aerated areas. Fluid trapped in the lower airways may block the passive collapse that is normal after death. [[Hemorrhagic bullae]] of [[emphysema]] may be found. These are related to the rupture of alveolar walls. These signs, while suggestive of drowning, are not conclusive.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removing citation to content from predatory publisher}}

==Prevention==
[[File:18251101 Preventing drowning - The Maryland Republican (Annapolis).jpg|thumb| This 1825 newspaper article explains how keeping limbs beneath the water surface provides [[buoyancy]], and describes [[treading water]].<ref name=MdRepub_18251101>{{cite news |title=Bathing |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/annapolis-maryland-republican-and-political-agricultural-museum-nov-01-1825-p-2/ |work=The Maryland Republican |date=November 1, 1825 |location=Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |page=2 |access-date=6 September 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314091534/https://newspaperarchive.com/annapolis-maryland-republican-and-political-agricultural-museum-nov-01-1825-p-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref>|390x390px]]
It is estimated that more than 85% of drownings could be prevented by supervision, training in water skills, technology, and public education.  Measures that help to prevent drowning include the following:<ref name="CDCP">{{cite web|url=https://cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html#tabs-1-3|title=Water-Related Injuries|last=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=15 February 2020|archive-date=14 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214203538/https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html#tabs-1-3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Szpilman et al 2012">{{cite journal|last1=Szpilman|first1=David|last2=Bierens|first2=Joost J.L.M.|last3=Handley|first3=Anthony J.|last4=Orlowski|first4=James P.|date=4 October 2012|title=Drowning|journal=The New England Journal of Medicine|volume=366|issue=22|pages=2102–10|doi=10.1056/NEJMra1013317|pmid=22646632|df=dmy-all|doi-access=free}}</ref>
* '''Learning to swim:''' Being able to swim is one of the best defences against drowning. It is recommended that children learn to swim in a safe and supervised environment when they are between 1 and 4 years old, but learning to swim is recommended at any age.
* '''Surveillance:''' The surveillance of swimmers, especially children, is essential, because drownings may be silent and go unnoticed. A drowning person may be unable to wave, shout or even speak, and remain below the surface or unconscious. The highest rates of drowning globally are among children under five years-old.<ref>{{cite web |title=Drowning |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning |website=www.who.int |access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> People who already know how to swim could need certain surveillance too.<ref name="USLA">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-03 |title=USLA's Top Ten Beach and Water Safety Tips - United States Lifesaving Association |url=https://usla.org/page/safety-tips |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703005032/https://usla.org/page/safety-tips |archive-date=3 July 2021 }}</ref> Many pools and bathing areas have [[lifeguard]]s or a [[drowning detection system]], and local legislation may require surveillance methods.<ref>{{cite news |last=Borzo |first=Jeanette |title=Business Innovation Awards (A Special Report): Silver --- Poseidon Technologies Makes a Big Splash With Swimming Pool Monitoring System --- Computer System Saves Life of Drowning Teen --- In Big Pools, Lifeguards Can't Do It All |work=The Wall Street Journal |edition=Europe |location=Brussels |date=26 November 2001 |pages=26 |issn=0921-9986}}</ref> Non-professional bystanders are important in detecting and notifying drownings.<ref name="RID2">{{cite web|url=http://pia-enterprises.com/rid.rtf|title=The RID factor as a cause of drowning|last1=Pia|first1=Frank|author-link=Frank Pia|date=June 1984|work=Parks & Recreation|via=pia-enterprises.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024620/http://www.pia-enterprises.com/rid.rtf|archive-date=5 March 2016|access-date=1 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Lifeguards can be called by mobile phone in many cases. Evidence shows that alarms in pools are unreliable.<ref name="AFP2016" />  The [[World Health Organization]] recommends that the most crowded hours be addressed by increasing the number of lifeguards at those times.
[[File:Female Project Officer creating awareness on drowning in Ghana.jpg|thumb|A prevention-of-drowning campaign in [[Ghana]]|alt=]]

* '''Education and awareness:''' The [[World Health Organization|WHO]] recommends wide training of the public in first aid, including [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] (CPR), and to behave safely in the water. Swimmers need to understand how to swim within their own abilities with regard to currents, depth, temperature or waves and to be informed of the state of the sea. Even good swimmers may drown because of water conditions and other circumstances, so need to learn how to select safe places that have surveillance and to understand the local conditions and to follow the rules. Many people who drown fail to follow the local safety guidelines or pay attention to signs indicating swimming restrictions and lifeguard duties. 
*'''Shallow water and obstructions''': Local conditions may include shallow water and obstructions. It is not prudent to jump into the water without knowing the depth, especially if entering head-first.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-20 |title=Spinal Injury Prevention at the Beach - United States Lifesaving Association |url=https://usla.org/page/SPINAL |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720024407/https://usla.org/page/SPINAL |archive-date=20 July 2021 }}</ref> Between 1.2% and 22% of all spinal injuries are from accidents diving into shallow water or hitting hidden obstructions such as submerged trees. Up to 21% of shallow-water diving accidents cause spinal injury, risking permanent paralysis, or death.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Borius|first=Pierre-Yves|date=December 3, 2009|title=Cervical spine injuries resulting from diving accidents in swimming pools: outcome of 34 patients|journal=European Spine Journal|volume=19|issue=4|pages=552–7|doi=10.1007/s00586-009-1230-3|pmid=19956985|pmc=2899837}}</ref>
* '''Alcohol and drugs''': [[Alcoholic beverage|Alcohol]] and drugs increase the risk of drowning, and this risk increases for bars near water and parties on boats. For example, [[Finland]] sees several alcohol-implicated drownings every year at the [[Midsummer]] weekend as Finns celebrate in and around lakes and beaches.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Heat mortality in Finland in the 2000s|first=Simo|last=Näyhä|date=18 December 2007|journal=International Journal of Circumpolar Health|volume=66|issue=5|pages=418–424|doi=10.3402/ijch.v66i5.18313|pmid=18274207|s2cid=6762672|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ovimagazine.com/art/5955|title=Ovi Magazine : Finnish midsummer consumed by alcohol by Thanos Kalamidas|website=www.ovimagazine.com|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925072026/https://www.ovimagazine.com/art/5955|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.homesofmyrtlebeach.com/blog/401/Summer+Solstice+-+Midsummer+In+Finland|title=Summer Solstice - Midsummer in Finland|website=www.homesofmyrtlebeach.com|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814165414/https://www.homesofmyrtlebeach.com/blog/401/Summer+Solstice+-+Midsummer+in+Finland|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Lifejackets (37034021402).jpg|alt=|thumb|Lifejacket]]
*'''Anxiety and panic in water:''' The anxious movements produced by fear during drowning can render swimmers exhausted. Additionally, underestimating one's own stamina can cause a situation in which the swimmer finds themselves too exhausted to exit the water.<ref>{{Cite web |last=USCG AUX (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary) |date=2023-10-04 |title=Safety Programs |url=https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=safety-programs |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004034146/https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=safety-programs |archive-date=4 October 2023 }}</ref> Reducing the rhythm of swimming can mitigate the chances of suffering a cramp or contracture (muscle spasm),<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dr. Collins |first1=Jason |last2=Dawson-Cook |first2=Susan |date=2020-11-12 |title=How to Beat Muscle Cramps {{!}} U.S. Masters Swimming |url=https://usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/articles/how-to-beat-muscle-cramps |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000052/https://usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/articles/how-to-beat-muscle-cramps |archive-date=12 November 2020 }}</ref> it is recommended to keep calm, move towards the shore (or pool's border), and ask for help if necessary. The stings of forms of marine life can also produce panic, but, after receiving a sting of most types, it is possible to get out of the water without serious problems, even if some pain appears. And, for most of the swimming problems, it can be useful to take a horizontal position, face up, because it allows to float without any effort.
* '''Awareness of medical conditions:''' Some medical conditions such as epilepsy, syncope, cramp or seizures demand caution when in water, or near water. They may require controlled conditions for swimming (and even washing)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Managing epilepsy. Safety at home. Bathroom. |url=https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/managing-epilepsy/health-and-wellbeing/safety-at-home/bathroom/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Epilepsy Foundation |language=en-AU}}</ref> and a good understanding of the individual's limitations.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bain|first=Eva|date=June 20, 2018|title=Drowning in epilepsy: A population-based case series|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920121118302183#!|journal=Epilepsy Research|volume=145|pages=123–6|doi=10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2018.06.010|pmid=29957568|s2cid=49591807|via=Science Direct|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314091529/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920121118302183#!|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* '''State of the water:''' It is recommended to be aware of turbulences, dangerous waves, [[Undertow (water waves)|undertow]], wind and weather conditions, dangerous animals, and water temperature. Currents of water (as river currents and sea [[Rip current|rip currents]]) can carry the swimmers away with great force, so authorities in safety often recommend to the users of swimming areas avoiding useless efforts in the opposite direction, but, instead, taking some advantage of the current direction while swimming or floating outwards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-03 |title=USLA's Top Ten Beach and Water Safety Tips - United States Lifesaving Association |url=https://usla.org/page/safety-tips |access-date=2024-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703005032/https://usla.org/page/safety-tips |archive-date=3 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-03 |title=Rip Currents - United States Lifesaving Association |url=https://usla.org/page/ripcurrents |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703043938/https://usla.org/page/ripcurrents |archive-date=3 July 2021 }}</ref>[[File:Pacific pearl life ring.jpg|thumb|Lifebuoy on a boat]]
*'''Safety equipment''': All boats and pools must be equipped with adequate safety equipment, such as lifejackets or lifebuoys; often this is a regulatory requirement. Any recreational activity on a boat or near water requires that a lifejacket be worn, especially by children who cannot swim and others at risk of drowning. Lifejackets must be well-fitting and properly fastened, and their wearers must understand that they have to jump into water with a one of them, and use it by fastening the strap properly and grabbing the front neck area with both hands. Emergency flotation equipment, such as a circular [[lifebuoy]], can be thrown to the swimmer if available but, if not, any other flotation device, including inner tubes, water wings or foam tubes are used.<ref name="CDCP" />
*'''Navigation safety:''' Navigation accidents are a cause of drowning that can be prevented<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Resources - Safe Boating Campaign |url=https://safeboatingcampaign.com/resources/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209113516/https://safeboatingcampaign.com/resources/ |archive-date=9 December 2023 }}</ref> staying informed about the state of the sea, having the proper safety instruments (especially lifejackets on board, as mentioned before) and with any other advisable measure that can be applied.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=Social Media Template Posts - Safe Boating Campaign |url=https://safeboatingcampaign.com/resources/social-media-template-posts/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608054908/https://safeboatingcampaign.com/resources/social-media-template-posts/ |archive-date=8 June 2023 }}</ref>
*'''Rescue robots and drones''': Remote-controlled devices may assist a water rescue. Floating rescue robots can navigate to the victim to hold on to and even help to recover them. Aerial drones are fast, can help locate victims and even drop life jackets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dukowitz |first=Zacc |date=2021-04-15 |title=San Mateo Sheriff's Office Tests the Use of Drones as Lifeguards |url=https://uavcoach.com/drone-lifeguards/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=UAV Coach |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=New drones can drop life jackets to swimmers in trouble |url=https://news.yahoo.com/drones-drop-life-jackets-swimmers-230024172.html |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Yahoo News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618132041/https://news.yahoo.com/drones-drop-life-jackets-swimmers-230024172.html |archive-date=18 June 2021 }}</ref>
*'''Swimming in pairs ("buddy system")''': Pairing up swimmers, so they keep surveillance each other, and are available to help in case of any problem (because of a purpose of safety, not for competitive reasons).<ref>{{Cite web |last=American Red Cross |title=Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard's Chair |url=https://redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/uncategorized/9/m44240111_swim_as_a_pair_near_a_lifeguards_chair_2017.pdf |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020074735/https://redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/uncategorized/9/m44240111_swim_as_a_pair_near_a_lifeguards_chair_2017.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2020 }}</ref>
* [[File:Pool drain (view).jpg|thumb|Drain hole in a pool]]'''Pool fencing:''' Every private and public swimming pool should be fully fenced, with child-proof latches on the gates.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Thompson|first1=D. C.|last2=Rivara|first2=F. P.|date=2000|title=Pool fencing for preventing drowning in children|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2010|issue=2|pages=CD001047|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD001047|issn=1469-493X|pmid=10796742|pmc=8407364}}</ref> Many countries, including most Australian states since 1998 and France since 2003, require the fencing of pools.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Piscines |first1=Cheminées Villas |title=Swimming Pool Laws |url=https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/france/housing/maintenance-diy/swimming-pool-laws |website=Angloinfo France |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203032844/https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/france/housing/maintenance-diy/swimming-pool-laws |url-status=live }}</ref> Objects (such as toys and others) can attract children to the water.
* '''Pool drains:''' Swimming pools may have filtration systems that circulate the water. Filtration drains without covers, or too strong, can injure swimmers by trapping hair or other parts of the body, leading to immobilization and drowning.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=Home Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Safety {{!}} American Red Cross |url=http://redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/home-pool-safety.html |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927084301/http://redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/home-pool-safety.html |archive-date=27 September 2023 }}</ref> Many small drainage holes are usually preferred to a single large one. Periodic inspections can check that the system is safe.
* '''Paying heed to warning signs, flags and advices:''' Because they indicate the safety of swimming and warn about any danger.<ref name="USLA" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-31 |title=USLA Approved Beach Warning Flags - United States Lifesaving Association |url=https://www.usla.org/page/beach-warning-flags |access-date=2024-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531113309/https://www.usla.org/page/beach-warning-flags |archive-date=31 May 2021 }}</ref>

== Water safety ==
The concept of [[water safety]] involves the procedures and policies that are directed to prevent people from drowning or from becoming injured in water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Water safety - RoSPA|url=https://rospa.com/leisure-safety/water/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221010430/https://www.rospa.com/Leisure-Safety/Water|archive-date=21 December 2019|access-date=2020-02-14|website=rospa.com}}</ref>

== Time limits ==
{{Further|Drowning#Pathophysiology}}
The time a person can safely stay underwater depends on many factors, including energy consumption, number of prior breaths, physical condition, and age. An average person can last between one and three minutes before falling unconscious<ref name="Cantwell 2016b" /> and around ten minutes before dying.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=DeNicola|first1=L. K.|last2=Falk|first2=J. L.|last3=Swanson|first3=M. E.|last4=Gayle|first4=M. O.|last5=Kissoon|first5=N.|date=July 1997|title=Submersion injuries in children and adults |journal=Critical Care Clinics|volume=13|issue=3|pages=477–502|doi=10.1016/s0749-0704(05)70325-0|issn=0749-0704|pmid=9246527}}</ref><ref name="Cantwell 2016b" /><ref name="Hill-2020" /> In an unusual case with the best conditions, a person was resuscitated after 65 minutes underwater.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJyhIH8N8qgC&pg=PA1264|title=Mosby's Paramedic Textbook - Mick J. Sanders, Lawrence M. Lewis, Gary Quick - Google Books|date=2020-08-01|isbn=9780323072755|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801030958/http://books.google.com/books?id=PJyhIH8N8qgC&pg=PA1264|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=1 August 2020|last1=Sanders|first1=Mick J.|last2=Lewis|first2=Lawrence M.|last3=Quick|first3=Gary|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers }}</ref>

==Management==
{{How-to|date=July 2021}}

=== Rescue ===
When a person is drowning or a swimmer becomes missing, a fast water rescue may become necessary, to take that person out of the water as soon as possible. Drowning is not necessarily violent or loud, with splashing and cries; it can be silent.<ref>{{cite web|title=Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning — Foster Community Online|date=2 January 2014 |url=http://www.foster.vic.au/drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308194559/http://www.foster.vic.au/drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning/|archive-date=8 March 2014|access-date=2021-03-10|publisher=Foster.vic.au}}</ref>

==== Start and rescue methods from the ground ====
[[File:Proper Rescue Method.jpg|thumb|Advice given to would-be rescuers of a drowning victim]]Rescuers should avoid endangering themselves unnecessarily; whenever it is possible, they should assist from a safe ground position,<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" /> such as a boat, a pier, or any patch of land near the victim. The fastest way to assist is to throw a buoyant object (such as a lifebuoy or a broad branch). It is very important to avoid aiming directly at the victim, since even the lightest lifebuoys weight over 2 kilograms, and can stun, injure or even render a person unconscious if they impact on the head.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/5PS/Design%20and%20Engineering%20Standards/Life%20Saving%20and%20Fire%20Safety/Docs/46CFR160-150-SOLASguideline.pdf?ver=2017-10-20-143944-317|title=Guideline 160.150--Specification for Lifebuoys, SOLAS|page=3|chapter=§ 160.150-4 Construction and workmanship - (e) Weight|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314091506/https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/5PS/Design%20and%20Engineering%20Standards/Life%20Saving%20and%20Fire%20Safety/Docs/46CFR160-150-SOLASguideline.pdf?ver=2017-10-20-143944-317|archive-date=14 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Another way to assist is to reach the victim with an object to grasp, and then pull both of them out of the water. Some examples include: ropes, oars, broad branches, poles, one's own arm, a hand, etc. This carries the risk of the rescuer being pulled into the water by the victim, so the rescuer must take a firm stand, lying down, as well as securing to some stable point. Any rescue with vehicles would have to avoid trampling or damaging the victim in another manner. Also, there are modern flying drones that can drop life jackets.

Bystanders should immediately call for help. A lifeguard should be called, if present. If not, an [[List of emergency telephone numbers|emergency telephone number]] should be contacted as soon as possible, to get the help of professionals and [[paramedics]]. In some cases of drowning, victims have been rescued by professionals from a boat or a helicopter. Less than 6% of people rescued by lifeguards need medical attention, and only 0.5% need CPR. The statistics worsen when rescues are made by bystanders{{citation needed |date=July 2022}}.

If lifeguards or paramedics are unable to be called, bystanders must rescue the drowning person. It can be done using vehicles that the victim can reach, as row-boats or even modern robots, when they navigate across the water. 

==== Rescue by swimming ====
A human rescue by swimming carries a risk for the rescuer, who could be drowned trying it.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rowan|first=Karen|date=14 August 2010|title=Why do people often drown together?|url=http://www.livescience.com/6866-people-drown.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528022939/http://www.livescience.com/6866-people-drown.html|archive-date=28 May 2017|access-date=12 December 2016|publisher=[[Live Science]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Franklin|first1=Richard|last2=Pearn|first2=John|date=26 October 2010|title=Drowning for love: the aquatic victim-instead-of-rescuer syndrome: drowning fatalities involving those attempting to rescue a child|url=https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/16214/5/16214%20Franklin%20and%20Pearn%202011%20-%20Accepted%20Version.pdf|url-status=live|journal=[[Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health]]|volume=47|issue=1–2|pages=44–47|doi=10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01889.x|pmid=20973865|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505180610/https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/16214/5/16214%20Franklin%20and%20Pearn%202011%20-%20Accepted%20Version.pdf|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=10 March 2021|s2cid=205470277}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Starrenburg|first=Caleb|date=5 January 2014|title=Would-be rescuers losing their lives|url=http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/9574440/Would-be-rescuers-losing-their-lives|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220154607/http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/9574440/Would-be-rescuers-losing-their-lives|archive-date=20 December 2016|access-date=12 December 2016|website=[[Stuff.co.nz]]}}</ref> Death of the would-be rescuer can happen because of the water conditions, the [[instinctive drowning response]] of the victim, the physical effort, and other problems.[[File:Rescue tow from behind (undefined one).jpg|thumb|340x340px|Water rescue simulation. After controlling the position of a victim (most dangerous part when the victim is anxious), the rescuer tows him from behind. It is recommended to carry a flotation object for making the rescue easier. ]]
'''First contact and gripping'''

In a swimming intervention, it is recommended to carry a floating object that makes the rescue easier. That is especially important at the moment when the rescuer reaches the victim's area, because a drowning person in distress could cling to the rescuer in an attempt to stay above the water surface, which could sink both of them. In more affordable situations, the victim is exhausted, or has suffered a cramp, and stays calmer or fainted. But, in the worst cases, the victim will be anxious and with vigor. Then, the rescuer can approach the panicking person offering an object for flotation (as a [[rescue buoy]]), or any other, or even a hand, so the victim has something to grasp. In other situations, an expert rescuer could take one of the victim's arms and press it against the victim's back to restrict unnecessary movement. Communication is also important for coordination and allowing the rescue maneuvers.

If the victim clings to the rescuer, and there is not any flotation object, and the rescuer cannot control the situation (by simple communication, or by immobilizing, or by getting rid of the victim), a possibility is to dive underwater (as drowning people tend to move in the opposite direction, seeking the water surface) and consider a different approach to help the drowning victim.

'''Ascending an already sunk victim to the water surface'''
[[File:In the Water With JBB Firefighters DVIDS271623.jpg|thumb|'Head splint' grip: victim's arms are grabbed between elbows and shoulders  and pressed around the victims' ears. Many rescuers use it to hold the neck position of victims of spinal injury while carrying them to the water surface with a diagonal dive. Some injured victims can cling dangerously to the rescuer.]]
Sometimes, the victim is already sunk beneath the water surface. If this has happened, the rescue requires caution, as the victim could be conscious and cling to the rescuer underwater desperately. Victims with suspected serious spinal injuries (which limit the movements) would need special care and specific grips to be ascended properly.

In the best of cases, the sunk victim is unconscious floating shallowly under the water surface, and can be lifted to the surface by grabbing either (or both) of the victim's arms and swimming, which pulls forward and upward, making the task easier (and enticing the victim to move). After reaching the water surface, a victim will always have to be placed in a face-up horizontal position, or at least in any other with nose and mouth above the water, to be towed to firm ground.

When a victim is located deeper underwater, the rescuer should dive, take the victim from behind, and ascend vertically to the water surface holding the victim.

'''Moving a victim out of the water by towing'''

After a successful first physical contact with the victim (usually the most dangerous part, because victims can cling anxiously to the rescuers), the victim must be taken out of the water to a firm ground. This is achieved by a towing maneuver. It would be commonly a 'supporting tow': placing the victim body in a face-up horizontal position, and passing one hand under the victim's armpit to then grab the jaw with it, and towing by swimming backwards. The victim's mouth and nose must be kept above the water surface.

If the person is cooperative, the towing may be done in a similar fashion with the hands going under the victim's armpits. Other styles of towing are possible, but all of them keeping the victim's mouth and nose above the water.

Unconscious people may be pulled in an easier way: pulling on a wrist, or on the neck area of the shirt, while they are in a face-up horizontal position. Victims with suspected spinal injuries can require a more specific grip, and special care for their management, and a backboard (spinal board) may be needed for their rescue.<ref name="ILCOR 2005">{{cite journal|date=29 November 2005|title=2005 ILCOR resuscitation guidelines|url=http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/112/22_suppl/III-115.pdf|url-status=live|journal=Circulation|volume=112|issue=22 supplement|doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.166480|s2cid=247579422 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227045739/http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/112/22_suppl/III-115.pdf|archive-date=27 February 2008|access-date=17 February 2008|quote=There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of oxygen by the first aid provider.|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

For unconscious people, an in-water resuscitation could increase the chances of survival by a factor of about three, but this procedure requires both medical and swimming skills, and it becomes impractical to send anyone besides the rescuer to execute that task. Chest compressions require a suitable platform, so an in-water assessment of circulation is pointless. If the person does not respond after a few breaths, cardiac arrest may be assumed, and getting them out of the water becomes a priority.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />

=== First aid ===
[[File:Expelling water from victim of drowning - method in a book.jpg|thumb|Traditional medical method to expel water from the lungs in victims of drowning, currently inhabitual.]]
{{see also|Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation|Basic life support|Rescue breathing|First aid}}
The checks for responsiveness and breathing are carried out with the person lying in a horizontally supine position (face up).

The traditional medical treatment for the drowned started expelling water from their lungs, tilting the victim face down (see drawing at right).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Jerome |title=Anatomy, physiology and hygiene |editor-last=Allyn and Bacon}}</ref> However, handling the weight of the body could cost time and efforts in some cases, especially in victims with spinal injury (at the neck or the back) that affected their mobility, which requires special care.

If the victim is unconscious, but breathing, the [[recovery position]] is appropriate (laying on a side, usually the right, the left is recommended in women since 7 and a half months of pregnancy approximately).<ref>{{Cite web |last=First Aid for Life |date=2024-06-15 |title=5 First Aid Adaptations for Pregnancy |url=https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/first-aid-adaptations-for-pregnant-women/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615222936/https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/first-aid-adaptations-for-pregnant-women/ |archive-date=15 June 2024 }}</ref>[[File:Insulfation2.jpg|thumb|Rescue breaths]]If the victim is not breathing, rescue ventilation is necessary. In cases when drowning produces a gasping pattern of apnea while the heart is still beating, ventilation alone could be sufficient. But in the cases when ventilation is not enough, a complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be used. Guides for victims of drowning indicate calling to an [[List of emergency telephone numbers|emergency telephone number]] if not yet done; a rescuer alone with the victim would do it after two minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) would follow an 'airway-breathing-circulation' ('ABC') sequence, starting with rescue breaths rather than with compressions as it is typical in cardiac arrest,<ref name="AHA 2010">{{cite report |url=http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@ecc/documents/downloadable/ucm_317350.pdf |title=Guidelines for CPR and ECC |publisher=American Heart Association |page=2 |access-date=2 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106184849/http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@ecc/documents/downloadable/ucm_317350.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2017 |url-status=live |editor-last=Hazinski |editor-first=Mary Fran |year=2010 |work=Highlights of the 2010 American Heart Association |df=dmy-all}}</ref> because the problem is the lack of oxygen.

For a not-breathing adult or child (someone bigger than a baby), patient's head would be tilted back, to improve the rescue breaths. It is recommended to start the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with 2 initial rescue breaths, because of the lack of oxygen<ref>{{Cite book |last=Red Cross |title=CPR/AED Handbook |year=2016 |page=133}}</ref> and the possibility of water in the airway; the rescue breaths are made by pinching the victim's nose and blowing air mouth-to-mouth, not excessively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=American Heart Association |date=2015 |title=Guidelines for CPR and ECC |url=http://eccguidelines.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-AHA-Guidelines-Highlights-English.pdf|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190203102957/http://eccguidelines.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-AHA-Guidelines-Highlights-English.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2019 }}</ref> Next, it is applied a continual alternation of 30 chest compressions (pressing on the lower half of the [[sternum]], the vertical bone of the middle of the chest) and 2 rescue breaths (in the same manner that the initial ones). This alternation is repeated until vital signs are re-established, the rescuers are unable to continue, or emergency medical services arrive.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" /> Additionally, an amount of victims of drowning may have suffered a type of cardiorespiratory arrest that requires a defibrillator (AED) to correct it (read further below). 
[[File:Chest compressions.gif|thumb|Chest compressions (proper rhythm)]]For not-breathing babies (very small sized infants), the procedure is the same than above but slightly modified: the baby's head is not tilted back, but left straight, looking forward, which is necessary for the rescue breaths, because of the neck's size in babies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Red Cross |date=2024-03-02 |title=How to Perform Child and Baby CPR |url=http://redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/child-baby-cpr |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240302035229/http://redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/child-baby-cpr|access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Red Cross |pages=1, 3.3|archive-date=2 March 2024 }}</ref> In each series of 2 rescue breaths (and the 2 initial breaths), the rescuer's mouth covers the baby's mouth and nose simultaneously (because a baby's face is too small). And, in the intercalated series of 30 chest compressions, they are also applied by pressing on the lower half of the [[sternum]], the vertical bone of the middle of the chest, but with only two fingers (because the body of the baby being more fragile). Additionally, some infants may have suffered a type of cardiorespiratory arrest that requires a defibrillator (AED) to correct it (read below). 

Defibrillators (AED) can be found in many public places. They produce a defibrillation (electric shocks) that can restore the pulse of a victim. Anyway, they would only work in some specific cases. Defibrillators are easy to use, as they emit their instructions with voice messages. Before trying a defibrillation, the victim and the rescuer must be out of the water, and the victim's body must be dried. If the body of the victim is extremely cold, it would have to be warmed to improve defibrillation.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Manino |first1=Leonardo Andrés |last2=Pizzini |first2=Diego Augusto |title=Drowning: special situation of reanimation |year=2019}}</ref>

Methods to expel water from the airway such as [[abdominal thrusts]] (Heimlich maneuver) or positioning the head downwards, should be avoided, due to there being no obstruction by solids, and they delay the start of ventilation, and increase the risk of vomiting. The risk of death is increased, as the aspiration of stomach contents is a common complication of the resuscitation efforts.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" /><ref name="Medline">{{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|000046|Near drowning}}</ref>

Treatment for [[hypothermia]] may also be necessary. However, in those who are unconscious, it is recommended their temperature not be increased above 34 degrees C.<ref name="Ros2017">{{cite book|last1=Wall|first1=Ron|title=Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice|date=2017|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-0323354790|edition=9|page=1802}}</ref> Because of the [[diving reflex]], people submerged in cold water and apparently drowned may revive after a long period of immersion.<ref name="McKenna 2011">{{cite book |last=McKenna |first=Kim D. |title=Mosby's paramedic textbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJyhIH8N8qgC&pg=PA1264 |access-date=9 May 2013 |year=2011 |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers |isbn=978-0-323-07275-5 |pages=1262–6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619070103/http://books.google.com/books?id=PJyhIH8N8qgC&pg=PA1264 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Rescuers retrieving a child from water significantly below body temperature should attempt [[resuscitation]] even after protracted immersion.<ref name="McKenna 2011" />

===Medical care===
People with a near-drowning experience who have normal oxygen levels and no respiratory symptoms should be observed in a hospital environment for a period of time to ensure there are no delayed complications.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/657 |title=Drowning - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment |work=BMJ Best Practice |access-date=2018-12-03 |archive-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203202740/https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/657 |url-status=live }}</ref> The target of ventilation is to achieve 92% to 96% arterial saturation and adequate chest rise. [[Positive end-expiratory pressure]] will improve oxygenation. Drug administration via peripheral veins is preferred over endotracheal administration. [[Hypotension]] remaining after [[Oxygenation (environmental)|oxygenation]] may be treated by rapid [[Intravenous therapy#Volume expanders|crystalloid infusion]].<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" /> Cardiac arrest in drowning usually presents as [[asystole]] or [[pulseless electrical activity]]. [[Ventricular fibrillation]] is more likely to be associated with complications of pre-existing [[coronary]] artery disease, severe hypothermia, or the use of [[epinephrine]] or [[norepinephrine]].<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />

While [[surfactant]] may be used, no high-quality evidence exist that looks at this practice.<ref name=Mer2017/> [[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation]] may be used in those who cannot be oxygenated otherwise.<ref name=Mer2017/> [[Steroids]] are not recommended.<ref name=Mer2017/>

==Prognosis==
{| class="wikitable" style = "float: right; margin-left:15px; text-align:center"
! colspan="2" |Drowning outcomes (after hospital treatment)
|-
|Duration of submersion
|Risk of death or poor outcomes<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />
|-
| 0–5 min
| 10%
|-
| 6–10 min
| 56%
|-
| 11–25 min
| 88%
|-
| >25 min
| nearly 100%
|-
| colspan="2" | Signs of brain-stem injury predict death or severe neurological consequences
|}
People who have drowned who arrive at a hospital with spontaneous circulation and breathing usually recover with good outcomes.<ref name="McKenna 2011" /> Early provision of basic and advanced life support improve the probability of a positive outcome.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />

A longer duration of submersion is associated with a lower probability of survival and a higher probability of permanent neurological damage.<ref name="McKenna 2011" />

Contaminants in the water can cause [[bronchospasm]] and impaired gas exchange and can cause secondary infection with delayed severe respiratory compromise.<ref name="McKenna 2011" />

Low water temperature can cause ventricular fibrillation, but hypothermia during immersion can also slow the [[metabolism]], allowing longer hypoxia before severe damage occurs.<ref name="McKenna 2011" /> Hypothermia that reduces brain temperature significantly can improve the outcome. A reduction of brain temperature by 10&nbsp;°C decreases [[Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]] consumption by approximately 50%, which can double the time the brain can survive.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />

The younger the person, the better the chances of survival.<ref name="McKenna 2011" /> In one case, a child submerged in cold ({{convert|37|°F|°C}}) water for 66 minutes was resuscitated without apparent [[Neurology|neurological]] damage.<ref name="McKenna 2011" /> However, over the long term significant deficits were noted, including a range of cognitive difficulties, particularly general memory impairment, although recent [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) and [[magnetoencephalography]] (MEG) were within normal range.<ref name="Hughes et al 2002">{{cite journal |last1=Hughes |first1=S. K. |last2=Nilsson |first2=D. E. |last3=Boyer |first3=R. S. |last4=Bolte |first4=R. G. |last5=Hoffman |first5=R. O. |last6=Lewine |first6=J. D. |last7=Bigler |first7=E. D. |year=2002 |title=Neurodevelopmental outcome for extended cold water drowning: A longitudinal case study |journal=Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=588–596 |doi=10.1017/s1355617702814370|pmid=12030312 |s2cid=23780668 }}</ref>

===Children===
Drowning is a major worldwide cause of death and injury in children. An estimate of about 20% of non-fatal drowning victims may result in varying degrees of ischemic and/or hypoxic brain injury. Hypoxic injuries refers to a lack or absence of oxygen in certain organs or tissues. Ischemic injuries on the other hand refers inadequate blood supply to certain organs or part of the body. These injuries can lead to an increased risk of long-term morbidity.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Gonzalez-Rothi RJ |title=Near drowning: consensus and controversies in pulmonary and cerebral resuscitation |journal=Heart Lung |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=474–82 |date=September 1987 |pmid=3308778 }}</ref> Prolonged hypothermia and hypoxemia from nonfatal submersion drowning can result in cardiac dysrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, or atrial fibrillation.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Rivers JF, Orr G, Lee HA |title=Drowning. Its clinical sequelae and management |journal=Br Med J |volume=2 |issue=5702 |pages=157–61 |date=April 1970 |pmid=4909451 |pmc=1699975 |doi=10.1136/bmj.2.5702.157 }}</ref> Long-term neurological outcomes of drowning cannot be predicted accurately during the early stages of treatment. Although survival after long submersion times, mostly by young children, has been reported, many survivors will remain severely and permanently neurologically compromised after much shorter submersion times. Factors affecting the probability of long-term recovery with mild deficits or full function in young children include the duration of submersion, whether advanced life support was needed at the accident site, the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and whether spontaneous breathing and circulation are present on arrival at the emergency room.<ref name="Suominen 2012">{{cite journal |last1=Suominen |first1=Pertti K. |first2=Raisa |last2=Vähätalo |date=15 August 2012 |title=Neurologic long term outcome after drowning in children |journal=Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine |volume=20 |issue=55 |pages=55 |issn=1757-7241 |doi=10.1186/1757-7241-20-55 |pmid=22894549 |pmc=3493332 |df=dmy-all |doi-access=free}}</ref> Prolonged submersion in water for more than 5–10 minutes usually leads to poorer prognosis.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Quan |first1=Linda |last2=Wentz |first2=Kim R. |last3=Gore |first3=Edmond J. |last4=Copass |first4=Michael K. |date=1990-10-01 |title=Outcome and Predictors of Outcome in Pediatric Submersion Victims Receiving Prehospital Care in King County, Washington |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.86.4.586 |journal=Pediatrics |volume=86 |issue=4 |pages=586–593 |doi=10.1542/peds.86.4.586 |pmid=2216625 |s2cid=7375830 |issn=0031-4005|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Data on the long-term outcome are scarce and unreliable. Neurological examination at the time of discharge from the hospital does not accurately predict long-term outcomes. Some people with severe brain injury who were transferred to other institutions died months or years after the drowning and are recorded as survivors. Nonfatal drownings have been estimated as two-to-four times more frequent than fatal drownings.<ref name="Suominen 2012" />

==== Long-term effects of drowning in children ====
Long-term effects of nonfatal drowning include damage to major organs such as the brain, lungs, and kidneys. Prolonged submersion time is attributed to hypoxic ischemic brain injury in susceptible areas of the brain such as the hippocampus, insular cortex, and/or basal ganglia. Severity in hypoxic ischemic damage of these brain structures corresponds to the severity in global damage to areas of the cerebral cortex.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ibsen |first1=Laura M. |last2=Koch |first2=Thomas |date=November 2002 |title=Submersion and asphyxial injury |url=http://journals.lww.com/00003246-200211001-00004 |journal=Critical Care Medicine |volume=30 |issue=Supplement |pages=S402–S408 |doi=10.1097/00003246-200211001-00004 |pmid=12528781 |issn=0090-3493|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The cerebral cortex is a brain structure that is responsible for language, memory, learning, emotion, intelligence, and personality.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cerebral Cortex: What It Is, Function & Location |url=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23073-cerebral-cortex |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Cleveland Clinic}}</ref> Global damage to the cerebral cortex can affect one or more of its primary function. Treatment of pulmonary complication from drowning is dependent on the amount of lung injury that occurred during the incident. These lung injuries can be contributed by water aspiration and also irritants present in the water such as microbial pathogens leading to complications such as lung infection that can develop in adult respiratory disease syndrome later on in life.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bierens |first1=Joost J. L.M. |last2=Knape |first2=Johannes T.A. |last3=Gelissen |first3=Harry P. M.M. |date=December 2002 |title=Drowning |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00075198-200212000-00016 |journal=Current Opinion in Critical Care |volume=8 |issue=6 |pages=578–586 |doi=10.1097/00075198-200212000-00016 |pmid=12454545 |issn=1070-5295|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Some literature suggests that occurrences of drowning can lead to acute kidney injury from lack of blood flow and oxygenation due to shock and global hypoxia. These kidney injury can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys and may require long-term treatment such as renal replacement therapy.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zeraati |first1=Abbas Ali |last2=Amini |first2=Shahram |last3=Mortazi |first3=Hasan |last4=Zeraati |first4=Tina |last5=Zeraati |first5=Dorsa |title=Sp238The Effect of Selenium on Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury After On-Pump Cardiac Surgery |date=2018-05-01 |journal=Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation |volume=33 |issue=suppl_1 |pages=i423–i424 |doi=10.1093/ndt/gfy104.sp238 |issn=0931-0509|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==== Infant risk ====
Children are overrepresented in drowning statistics, with children aged 0–4 years old having the highest number of deaths due to unintentional drowning.<ref name="Burnay-2022">{{cite journal |last1=Burnay |first1=Carolina |last2=Anderson |first2=David I. |last3=Button |first3=Chris |last4=Cordovil |first4=Rita |last5=Peden |first5=Amy E. |date=2022-04-11 |title=Infant Drowning Prevention: Insights from a New Ecological Psychology Approach |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |volume=19 |issue=8 |pages=4567 |doi=10.3390/ijerph19084567 |pmid=35457435 |pmc=9029552 |issn=1660-4601 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In 2019 alone, 32,070 children between the ages of 1 and 4 years died as a result of unintentional drowning, equating to an age-adjusted fatality of 6.04 per 100,000 children.<ref name="Burnay-2022" /> Infants are particularly vulnerable because while their mobility develops quickly, their perception concerning their ability for locomotion between surfaces develops slower.<ref name="Burnay-2022" /> An infant can have full control of their movements, but will not recognize that water does not provide the same support for crawling as hardwood floors would. An infant's capacity for movement needs to be met with an appropriate perception of surfaces of support (and avoidance of surfaces that do not support locomotion) to avoid drowning.<ref name="Burnay-2022" /> By crawling and interacting with their environment, infants learn to distinguish surfaces offering support for locomotion from those that do not, and their perception of surface characteristics will improve, as well as their perception of falls risk, over several weeks.<ref name="Burnay-2022" />

==Epidemiology==
[[File:Drowning world map-Deaths per million persons-WHO2012.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|Drowning deaths per million people in 2012 {{div col|small=yes|colwidth=10em}}{{legend|#ffff20|0-8}}{{legend|#ffe820|9-14}}{{legend|#ffd820|15-21}}{{legend|#ffc020|22-25}}{{legend|#ffa020|26-36}}{{legend|#ff9a20|37-53}}{{legend|#f08015|54-63}}{{legend|#e06815|64-79}}{{legend|#d85010|80-103}}{{legend|#d02010|104-182}}{{div col end}}]]
[[File:Drownings world map - DALY - WHO2004.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Disability-adjusted life year]] for drowning per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004.<ref name="WHO 2009">{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/estimates_country/en/index.html |title=WHO Disease and injury country estimates |year=2009 |work=World Health Organization |access-date=11 November 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111101009/http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/estimates_country/en/index.html |archive-date=11 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>{{Div col|small=yes|colwidth=10em}}
{{legend|#b3b3b3|no data}}
{{legend|#ffff65|< 100}}
{{legend|#fff200|100–150}}
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{{legend|#ffc600|200–250}}
{{legend|#ffb000|250–300}}
{{legend|#ff9a00|300–350}}
{{legend|#ff8400|350–400}}
{{legend|#ff6e00|400–450}}
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{{legend|#ff2c00|600–700}}
{{legend|#cb0000|> 700}}
{{div col end}}]]
In 2019, roughly 236,000 people died from drowning, thereby causing it to be the third leading cause of unintentional death globally, trailing [[traffic injuries]] and [[fall (accident)|falls]].<ref name=Loz2012>{{cite journal |last1=Lozano |first1=R. |last2=Naghavi |first2=M. |last3=Foreman |first3=K. |last4=Lim |first4=S. |last5=Shibuya |first5=K. |last6=Aboyans |first6=V. |last7=Abraham |first7=J. |last8=Adair |first8=T. |last9=Aggarwal |first9=R. |last10=Ahn |first10=S.Y. |last11=Alvarado |first11=M. |last12=Anderson |first12=H.R. |last13=Anderson |first13=L.M. |last14=Andrews |first14=K.G. |last15=Atkinson |first15=C. |last16=Baddour |first16=L.M. |last17=Barker-Collo |first17=S. |last18=Bartels |first18=D.H. |last19=Bell |first19=M.L. |last20=Benjamin |first20=E.J. |last21=Bennett |first21=D. |last22=Bhalla |first22=K. |last23=Bikbov |first23=B. |last24=Bin Abdulhak |first24=A. |last25=Birbeck |first25=G. |last26=Blyth |first26=F. |last27=Bolliger |first27=I. |last28=Boufous |first28=S. |last29=Bucello |first29=C. |last30=Burch |first30=M. |display-authors=29 |title=Global and regional mortality from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/2557786 |url-status=live |journal=The Lancet |volume=380 |issue=9859 |pages=2095–128 |date=15 December 2012 |access-date=27 August 2020 |pmid=23245604 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61728-0 |pmc=10790329 |s2cid=1541253 |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30050819 |hdl-access=free |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519152712/https://zenodo.org/record/2557786 |archive-date=19 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Drowning |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=www.who.int}}</ref>

In many countries, drowning is one of the [[leading causes of death|main causes of preventable death]] for children under 12 years old. In the United States in 2006, 1100 people under 20 years of age died from drowning.<ref name="Policy PoD">{{cite journal|title=Policy Statement—Prevention of Drowning |author=((Committee on injury, violence, and poison prevention)) |doi=10.1542/peds.2010-1264 |pmid=20498166 |journal=Pediatrics |volume=126 |issue=1 |pages=178–185 |df=dmy-all |year=2010 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The United Kingdom has 450 drownings per year, or 1 per 150,000, whereas in the United States, there are about 6,500 drownings yearly, around 1 per 50,000. In Asia suffocation and drowning were the leading causes of preventable death for children under five years of age;<ref name="Salem News 2008">{{cite news|title=Drowning, Homicide and Suicide Leading Killers for Children in Asia|url=http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march112008/asia_child_killers_031108.php|access-date=5 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Salem News]]|date=11 March 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911201901/http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march112008/asia_child_killers_031108.php|archive-date=11 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="AHN 2008">{{cite news|title=UNICEF Says Injuries A Fatal Problem For Asian Children |url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010320559 |access-date=5 October 2010 |newspaper=[[All Headline News]] |date=13 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118233832/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010320559 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |df=dmy}}</ref> a 2008 report by UNICEF found that in [[Bangladesh]], for instance, 46 children drown each day.<ref name="ASC">{{cite web|title=Children Drowning, Drowning Children|url=http://tasc-gcipf.org/downloads/Drowning%20in%20Bangladesh.pdf|publisher=The Alliance for Safe Children|access-date=6 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830130048/http://tasc-gcipf.org/downloads/Drowning%20in%20Bangladesh.pdf|archive-date=30 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Due to a generally increased likelihood for risk-taking, males are four times more likely to have submersion injuries.<ref name="Cantwell 2016">{{cite web |last=Cantwell |first=G Patricia |date=5 July 2016 |title=Drowning: Epidemiology |url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#a5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204004435/http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772753-overview#a5 |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=3 February 2017 |work=Drugs & Diseases – Emergency Medicine |publisher=Medscape |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In the fishing industry, the largest group of drownings is associated with vessel disasters in bad weather, followed by man-overboard incidents and boarding accidents at night, either in foreign ports or under the influence of alcohol.<ref name="Cantwell 2016" /> [[Scuba diving]] deaths are estimated at 700 to 800 per year, associated with inadequate training and experience, exhaustion, panic, carelessness, and [[barotrauma]].<ref name="Cantwell 2016" />

===South Asia ===
Deaths due to drowning is high in the South Asian region with India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh accounting for up to 52% of the global deaths.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Franklin |first1=Richard Charles |last2=Peden |first2=Amy E. |last3=Hamilton |first3=Erin B. |last4=Bisignano |first4=Catherine |last5=Castle |first5=Chris D. |last6=Dingels |first6=Zachary V. |last7=Hay |first7=Simon I. |last8=Liu |first8=Zichen |last9=Mokdad |first9=Ali H. |last10=Roberts |first10=Nicholas L.S. |last11=Sylte |first11=Dillon O. |title=The burden of unintentional drowning: global, regional and national estimates of mortality from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=26 |issue=Supp 1 |pages=i83–i95 |date=October 2020 |issn=1475-5785 |pmc=7571364 |pmid=32079663 |doi=10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043484}}</ref> Death due to drowning is known to be high in the Sundarbans region in West Bengal and in Bihar.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=Medhavi |last2=Bhaumik |first2=Soumyadeep |last3=Roy |first3=Sujoy |last4=Panda |first4=Ranjan Kanti |last5=Peden |first5=Margaret |last6=Jagnoor |first6=Jagnoor |title=Determining child drowning mortality in the Sundarbans, India: applying the community knowledge approach |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=27 |issue=5 |pages=413–8 |date=October 2021 |issn=1475-5785 |pmid=32943493 |s2cid=221787099 |doi=10.1136/injuryprev-2020-043911 |hdl=10044/1/98550 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dandona |first1=Rakhi |last2=Kumar |first2=G. Anil |last3=George |first3=Sibin |last4=Kumar |first4=Amit |last5=Dandona |first5=Lalit |title=Risk profile for drowning deaths in children in the Indian state of Bihar: results from a population-based study |journal=Injury Prevention|volume=25|issue=5|pages=364–371 |date=October 2019 |issn=1475-5785 |pmc=6839727 |pmid=29778993 |doi=10.1136/injuryprev-2018-042743}}</ref>

According to [[Daily Times (Pakistan)|the ''Daily Times'']] in rural Pakistan, [[Inland navigation|boats]] are the preferred mode of transport where available. Due to the influence of female [[Haya (Islam)|modesty culture]] in Pakistan, women are not encouraged to swim.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-07-19 |title=19 women killed as wedding boat capsizes in Sadiqabad |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/968659/19-women-killed-as-wedding-boat-capsizes-in-sadiqabad/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the Iranian Sistan province there have been numerous instances of children dying in hootak water holes.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-08-09 |title=جان باختن شش کودک در سیستان و بلوچستان به دلیل افتادن در هوتک در مدت یک هفته |url=https://www.iranintl.com/202205210645 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=ایران اینترنشنال |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=واکنش‌ها به غرق شدن یک کودک دیگر هنگام برداشتن آب در سیستان و بلوچستان |language=fa |publisher=BBC News فارسی |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-53792585 |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2020-08-25 |title=شش کودک در دو هفته گذشته در "هوتگ" غرق شدند |url=https://www.independentpersian.com/node/80761/%D8%B4%D8%B4-%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%AF%DA%A9-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%C2%AB%D9%87%D9%88%D8%AA%DA%AF%C2%BB-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=ایندیپندنت فارسی |language=fa}}</ref>

=== Africa ===
In lower-income countries, cases of drowning and deaths caused by drowning are under reported and data collection is limited.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-06-17 |title=Global Drowning Research & Prevention {{!}} Drowning Prevention {{!}} CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/global/index.html |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-US}}</ref> Many low-income countries in Africa have the highest rates of drowning, with incidence rates calculated from population-based studies across 15 different countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) ranging from 0.33 per 100,000 population to 502 per 100,000 population.<ref name="Miller-2019">{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Lauren |last2=Alele |first2=Faith |last3=Emeto |first3=Theophilus |last4=Franklin |first4=Richard |date=2019-09-25 |title=Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Measures for Preventing Drowning in Africa: A Systematic Review |journal=Medicina |volume=55 |issue=10 |pages=637 |doi=10.3390/medicina55100637 |pmid=31557943 |pmc=6843779 |issn=1648-9144 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Potential risk factors include young age, being male, having to commute across or work on the water (e.g. fishermen), quality and carrying capacity of the boat, and poor weather.<ref name="Miller-2019" />

===United States=== 
In the United States, drowning is the second leading cause of death (after motor vehicle accidents) in children aged 12 and younger.<ref name=CDC_Tip_Sheet>{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/drowning.html |title=Drowning |date=23 September 2014 |publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] |access-date=26 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510212749/http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/drowning.html |archive-date=10 May 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

People who drown are more likely to be male, young, or adolescent.<ref name=CDC_Tip_Sheet/> There is a racial disparity found in drowning incidents. According to CDC data collected from 1999 to 2019, drowning rates among Native Americans was 2 times higher than non-Hispanic whites while the rate among African-Americans was 1.5 times higher.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Clemens|first=Tessa|date=2021|title=Persistent Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Fatal Unintentional Drowning Rates Among Persons Aged ≤29 Years — United States, 1999–2019|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7024a1.htm|journal=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report|language=en-US|volume=70|issue=24|pages=869–874|doi=10.15585/mmwr.mm7024a1|pmid=34138831|pmc=8220955|issn=0149-2195}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hazzard|first=Andrew|date=2021-09-28|title=Racial Disparities Persist in Drowning Deaths.|url=http://sahanjournal.com/climate/drowning-disparities-minnesota/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-04|website=Sahan Journal|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928033154/https://sahanjournal.com/climate/drowning-disparities-minnesota/ |archive-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> Surveys indicate that 10% of children under 5 have experienced a situation with a high risk of drowning. Worldwide, about 175,000 children die through drowning every year.<ref name="NPR 2008">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98055567 |title=Traffic Accidents Top Cause Of Fatal Child Injuries |date=10 December 2008 |work=Science |publisher=National Public Radio. |access-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212023334/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98055567 |archive-date=12 December 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The causes of drowning cases in the US from 1999 to 2006 were as follows:
{| class="toccolours"
|align=right|31.0% || Drowning and submersion while in natural water
|-
|align=right|27.9% || Unspecified drowning and submersion
|-
|align=right|14.5% || Drowning and submersion while in swimming pool
|-
|align=right|9.4% || Drowning and submersion while in bathtub
|-
|align=right|7.2% || Drowning and submersion following fall into natural water
|-
|align=right|6.3% || Other specified drowning and submersion
|-
|align=right|2.9% || Drowning and submersion following fall into swimming pool
|-
|align=right|0.9% || Drowning and submersion following fall into bathtub
|}

According to the US [[National Safety Council]], 353 people ages 5 to 24 drowned in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/drowning|title=Drowning: It Can Happen in an Instant|publisher=US National Safety Council|date=2019|access-date=2019-05-31|archive-date=14 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614011514/https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/drowning|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Society and culture==
===Old terminology===
The word "drowning"—like "electrocution"—was previously used to describe fatal events only. Occasionally, that usage is still insisted upon, though the medical community's consensus supports the definition used in this article. Several terms related to drowning which have been used in the past are also no longer recommended.<ref name=AFP2016/> These include:

*Active drowning: people, such as non-swimmers and the exhausted or [[hypothermia|hypothermic]] at the surface, who are unable to hold their [[mouth]] above water and are suffocating due to lack of [[air]]. Instinctively, people in such cases perform well-known behaviors in the last 20–60 seconds before being submerged, representing the body's last efforts to obtain air.<ref name=WHO2005 /><ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" /> Notably, such people are unable to call for help, talk, reach for rescue equipment, or alert swimmers even feet away, and they may drown quickly and silently close to other swimmers or safety.<ref name=WHO2005 />
*Dry drowning: drowning in which no water enters the lungs.<ref name=WHO2005 /><ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />
*Near drowning: drowning which is not fatal.<ref name=WHO2005 /><ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />
*Wet drowning: drowning in which water enters the lungs.<ref name=WHO2005 /><ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />
*Passive drowning: people who suddenly sink or have sunk due to a change in their circumstances. Examples include people who drown in an accident due to sudden [[loss of consciousness]] or sudden medical condition.<ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />
*Secondary drowning: physiological response to foreign matter in the lungs due to drowning causing extrusion of liquid into the lungs (pulmonary edema) which adversely affects breathing.<ref name=WHO2005 /><ref name="Szpilman et al 2012" />
*Silent drowning: drowning without a noticeable external display of distress.<ref name=WHO2005 /><ref name="Breining 2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.safebee.com/outdoors/silent-drowning-how-spot-signs-and-save-life|title=Silent Drowning: How to Spot the Signs and Save a Life|last=Breining|first=Greg|date=29 May 2015|work=Outdoors|publisher=Safe Bee|access-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203082216/http://www.safebee.com/outdoors/silent-drowning-how-spot-signs-and-save-life|archive-date=3 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Dry drowning ===
"Dry drowning" is an [[Urban legends and myths|urban legend]] according to which some people, notably children, die of drowning hours or days after swimming or ingesting water. [[Misinformation]] about this supposed phenomenon is spread cyclically, mostly at the beginning of summer, over social media.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Lucy |date=2023-07-02 |title=Parents Are Panicking About Kids Drowning Days After They've Come Home From the Pool. Is That Real? |language=en-US |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/07/dry-drowning-symptoms-myth-swimming.html |access-date=2023-07-02 |issn=1091-2339}}</ref>

As a medical condition, "dry drowning" has never had an accepted definition, and the term is discredited.<ref name="Hawkins EMN 2017">{{cite journal|last=Hawkins|first=SC|author2=Sempsrott, J.|author3=Schmidt, A.|title=Drowning in a Sea of Misinformation: Dry Drowning and Secondary Drowning.|journal=Emergency Medicine News|url=http://journals.lww.com/em-news/blog/BreakingNews/pages/post.aspx?PostID=377|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807074644/http://journals.lww.com/em-news/blog/BreakingNews/pages/post.aspx?PostID=377|archive-date=7 August 2017|df=dmy-all|date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Szpilman|first=D|author2=Bierens JL|author3=Handley A|author4=Orlowski JP|title=Drowning|journal=[[New England Journal of Medicine]]|volume=10|issue=2|pages=2102–10|doi=10.1056/nejmra1013317|pmid=22646632|year=2012|doi-access=free}}</ref> Following the 2002 World Congress on Drowning in Amsterdam, a consensus definition of drowning was established: it is the "process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid."<ref name="Drowning 2006">{{Cite book |title="Definition of Drowning". In Handbook on Drowning: Prevention, Rescue, Treatment. |last=van Beeck|first=EF|year=2006 |publisher=Springer|location=Berlin}}</ref> This definition resulted in only three legitimate drowning subsets: fatal drowning, non-fatal drowning with illness/injury, and non-fatal drowning without illness/injury.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Van Beeck|first1=EF|last2=Branche|first2=CM|date=2005 |title=A new definition of drowning: towards documentation and prevention of a global public health program.|journal=Bull World Health Organ|volume=83|issue=11|pages=853–6|pmid=16302042|pmc=2626470}}</ref> In response, major medical consensus organizations have adopted this definition worldwide and have discouraged any medical or publication use of the term "dry drowning".<ref name="Hawkins EMN 2017" /> Such organizations include the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation,<ref name="ILCOR 2003">{{cite journal|last=Idris|first=AH|title=Recommended Guidelines for Uniform Reporting of Data from Drowning|journal=Circulation|year=2003|volume=108|issue=20|pages=2565–74|doi=10.1161/01.cir.0000099581.70012.68|pmid=14623794|doi-access=free}}</ref> the Wilderness Medical Society,<ref name="Schmidt-2016">{{cite journal|last=Schmidt|first=AC|author2=Sempsrott JR| author3=Hawkins SC|title=Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Drowning|journal=Wilderness & Environmental Medicine|year=2016|volume=27|issue=2|pages=236–51|url=http://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(16)00003-X/fulltext|access-date=August 25, 2017|doi=10.1016/j.wem.2015.12.019|pmid=27061040|doi-access=free}}</ref> the American Heart Association,<ref>{{cite journal|title=2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care|journal=Circulation|year=2005|volume=112|issue=24|pages=IV–133–IV–135|doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.166565|df=dmy-all|doi-access=free}}</ref> the Utstein Style system,<ref name="ILCOR 2003" /> the International Lifesaving Federation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilsf.org/about/position-statements|title=Lifesaving Position Statement LPS 17: Definition of Drowning.|date=March 9, 2016|publisher=International Life Saving Federation.|access-date=August 25, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701134757/http://ilsf.org/about/position-statements|archive-date=1 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> the International Conference on Drowning,<ref name="Drowning 2006" /> Starfish Aquatics Institute,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starfishaquaticsinstitute.blogspot.com/2015/04/defining-drowning.html?m=1|title=Defining Drowning|date=April 7, 2015|website=www.starfishaquaticsinstitute.blogspot.com|publisher=Starfish Aquatics Institute.|access-date=August 25, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825231147/http://starfishaquaticsinstitute.blogspot.com/2015/04/defining-drowning.html?m=1|archive-date=25 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> the [[American Red Cross]],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tobin|first=JM|author2=Rossano JW|author3=Wernicki PG|title=Dry Drowning: A Distinction without a Difference.|journal=Resuscitation|volume=118|pages=e5–e6|date=2017|pmid=28655623|doi=10.1016/j.resuscitation.2017.06.023|doi-access=free}}</ref> the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC),<ref>{{cite journal|last=Gilchrist|first=A|title=Nonfatal and Fatal Drownings in Recreational Water Settings-United States 2001-2002|journal=Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report|year=2004|volume=53|issue=21|pages=447–452|pmid=15175568}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/drydrowning.asp|title=Dry Drowning|publisher=Snopes|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=August 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drown.htm|title=Water-Related Injuries.|publisher=US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.|date=Jun 12, 2008|access-date=August 25, 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719211302/http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drown.htm|archive-date=July 19, 2008}}</ref> the [[World Health Organization]]<ref>{{cite journal |last= van Beek |first=EF |title= A new definition of drowning: towards documentation and prevention of a global public health problem|journal= Bulletin of the World Health Organization |year= 2005 |volume=83 |issue=11 |pages= 801–880|pmid= 16302042 |pmc=2626470 }}</ref> and the [[American College of Emergency Physicians]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://newsroom.acep.org/2017-07-11-Death-After-Swimming-Is-Extremely-Rare-And-Is-NOT-Dry-Drowning |title= Death After Swimming Is Extremely Rare and is NOT Dry Drowning. |author= American College of Emergency Physicians Press Release |date= July 11, 2017 |website= www.acep.org |publisher= American College of Emergency Physicians |access-date= August 25, 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072324/http://newsroom.acep.org/2017-07-11-Death-After-Swimming-Is-Extremely-Rare-And-Is-NOT-Dry-Drowning |archive-date= 7 August 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

Drowning experts have recognized that the resulting pathophysiology of hypoxemia, acidemia, and eventual death is the same whether water entered the lung or not. As this distinction does not change management or prognosis but causes significant confusion due to alternate definitions and misunderstandings, it is established that pathophysiological discussions of "dry" versus "wet" drowning are not relevant to drowning care.<ref>{{Cite book |title="Drowning and Submersion Injuries". In Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine 7th edition. |last1=Sempsrott|first1=J|last2=Schmidt|first2=AC|last3=Hawkins|first3=SC|year=2017 |publisher=Elsevier|location=Philadelphia}}</ref>

"Dry drowning" is cited in the news with a wide variety of definitions.<ref name=ACEP2017>{{cite web|url=http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/Health-Tips/Death-After-Swimming-is-Extremely-Rare-%E2%80%93-And-is-NOT-%E2%80%9CDry-Drowning%E2%80%9D/|title=Death After Swimming is Extremely Rare – And is NOT "Dry Drowning"|publisher=American College of Emergency Physicians|access-date=October 20, 2017|author=<!-- Not listed -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021060513/http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/Health-Tips/Death-After-Swimming-is-Extremely-Rare-%E2%80%93-And-is-NOT-%E2%80%9CDry-Drowning%E2%80%9D/|archive-date=21 October 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and is often confused with "secondary drowning" or "delayed drowning".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sempsrott|first=J|title=Wet and Wild: Drowning & Water Injuries: Dry Drowning and Secondary Drowning.|journal=Wilderness Medicine Magazine|url=http://wildernessmedicinemagazine.com/1114/Drowning-Dry-and-Secondary|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807071538/http://wildernessmedicinemagazine.com/1114/Drowning-Dry-and-Secondary|archive-date=7 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Various conditions including spontaneous pneumothorax, chemical pneumonitis, bacterial or viral pneumonia, head injury, asthma, heart attack, and chest trauma have been misattributed to the erroneous terms "delayed drowning", "secondary drowning", and "dry drowning". Currently, there has never been a case identified in the medical literature where a person was observed to be without symptoms and who died hours or days later as a direct result of drowning alone.<ref name="Hawkins EMN 2017"/> However, forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht has published at least one opinion asserting that the cause of death of a 16 year old student was due to "delayed drowning".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyril Wecht Delayed Drowning |url=https://sameche.com/cyril-wecht-delayed-drowning/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Steven Ameche |date=26 November 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Capital punishment===
{{Main|Execution by drowning}}
In Europe, drowning was used as [[capital punishment]]. During the Middle Ages, a sentence of death was read using the words {{lang|la|cum fossa et furca}}, or "with pit and gallows".<ref name="Halkerston 2017">{{cite book |last=Halkerston |first=Peter |title=A Translation and Explanation of the principal technical Terms and Phrases used in Mr. Erskine's Institute of the Law of Scotland ... With an index materiarum and the Latin maxims in law and equity most in use |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R2JjAAAAcAAJ&q=cum+fossa+et+furca |access-date=2 February 2017 |edition= 2nd |year=1829 |publisher=Peter Halkerston |location=Edinborough |page=29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125212947/https://books.google.com/books?id=R2JjAAAAcAAJ&dq=cum+fossa+et+furca&source=gbs_navlinks_s |archive-date=25 November 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><!--Reference for translation-->

Drowning survived as a method of execution in Europe until the 17th and 18th centuries.<ref name="norton">{{cite web | first = Rictor | last = Norton | author-link = Rictor Norton | title = Newspaper Reports: The Dutch Purge of Homosexuals, 1730 | website = Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook | url = http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1730news.htm | date = 17 November 2011 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120518101647/http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1730news.htm | archive-date = 18 May 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> England had abolished the practice by 1623, Scotland by 1685, Switzerland in 1652, Austria in 1776, Iceland in 1777, and Russia by the beginning of the 1800s. France revived the practice during the [[French Revolution]] (1789–1799) and it was carried out by [[Jean-Baptiste Carrier]] at [[Nantes]].<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Drowning and Life Saving |volume=08 |short=x}}</ref>

==Experience==
People who have experienced drowning have reported slowing of time, but this is suggested to be a function of recollection, not perception.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Burr |first1=David |last2=Stetson |first2=Chess |last3=Fiesta |first3=Matthew P. |last4=Eagleman |first4=David M. |date=2007 |title=Does Time Really Slow Down during a Frightening Event? |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=2 |issue=12|pages=e1295 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0001295 |pmid=18074019 |pmc=2110887 |bibcode=2007PLoSO...2.1295S |doi-access=free}}</ref> If the person is conscious after the initial struggle and breath-holding, they may feel a burning or tearing sensation on [[Aspiration pneumonia|aspirating]] water. This burning sensation does not depend on the type of water. Following this painful feeling, many report peaceful perceptions, [[hallucination]]s, diminished pain and even [[euphoria]]. Sensations of tranquility are not limited to drowning, and similar perceptions have also been reported in [[near-death experience]]s from other causes.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tipton |first1=Michael |last2=Montgomery |first2=Hugh |title=The experience of drowning |journal=Medico-Legal Journal |volume=90 |issue=1 |pages=17–26 |date=2022 |pmid=34791956 |pmc=8928428 |doi=10.1177/00258172211053127}}</ref> The euphoria and calmness can be attributed to [[cerebral hypoxia]] and consequent changes in [[neurotransmitter]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Katz |first=Peter |title=A Deadly Sense of Euphoria |url=https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/a-deadly-sense-of-euphoria/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Plane & Pilot Magazine |date=12 August 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Schönbaum |first=E. |title=Environment, Drugs and Thermoregulation |date=1983-02-22 |publisher=Karger |isbn=978-3805536547}}</ref> These experiences vary by person, because the rate of oxygen loss in the blood (and resulting hypoxia) depends on the circumstances.

==See also==

* [[Instinctive drowning response]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* Canadian Red Cross: Drowning Research: Drownings in Canada, 10 Years of Research **[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172429/http://www.redcross.ca/cmslib/general/ws_final_m2_english2006_04_19.pdf Module 2 – Ice & Cold Water Immersion]
* [https://www.psychvarsity.com/Psychological-Effects-Of-Almost-Drowning The Psychological Effects of Almost Drowning]
*{{cite book |url=https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/safety-and-mobility/global-report-on-drowning-prevention |title=Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention 2024 |isbn=978-92-4-010396-2 |website=www.who.int |publisher=[[World Health Organization]] |location=Geneva |date=13 December 2024 }} 
{{Medical resources
| DiseasesDB = 3957
| ICD11           = {{ICD11|NF08.1}}
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|T|75|1|t|66}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|994.1}}
| ICDO =
| OMIM =
| MedlinePlus = 000046
| eMedicineSubj = emerg
| eMedicineTopic = 744
| meshName = Drowning
| meshNumber = C23.550.260.393
}}

{{Consequences of external causes}}
{{Underwater diving|divmed}}
{{Lifesaving and Lifeguarding}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Drowning| ]]
[[Category:Asphyxia]]
[[Category:Swimming]]
[[Category:Medical emergencies]]
[[Category:Underwater diving disorders]]
[[Category:Causes of death]]
[[Category:Suicide by suffocation]]
[[Category:Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate]]
[[Category:Wilderness medical emergencies]]