COMPARING BEHAVIORS OF DISTRESSED SWIMMERS AND DROWNING VICTIMS WITH

SWIMMERS

BEHAVIORS SWIMMER DISTRESSED ACTIVE DROWNING PASSIVE

SWIMMER VICTIM DROWNING VICITM

Breathing Rhythmic Can continue Struggles to breathe; Not breathing

breathing breathing and may cannot call out for
call for help help.

Arm and Leg Relatively Floating, sculling Arms to sides None

Action coordinated or treading water, alternately moving
may wave for help up and pressing
down; no supporting
kick
Body Position Horizontal Horizontal or Vertical Horizontal or
diagonal, vertical; face-down,
depending on face-up, or
means of support. submerged.

Locomotion Recognizabl Little or no None; has only 20-60 None

e forward progress; seconds before
less and less able submerging
to support self
Head Position Above water Tilted back with face Face-up or face-
looking up down in the water

submerged
Appearance Trying to support Struggling to keep or Limp or convulsion-
self by holding or get the head above like movements
clinging to a lane the surface of the
Floating or
line or safety line. water
submerged
Concerned facial Struggling to reach
Eyes may be closed
expression the surface, if
underwater If submerged, may
look like a shadow
Panicked or wide-
eyed facial expression
Sounds Able to call for Cannot call for help none
help but may not
do so
Location in At the surface At the surface, Floating at the
water underwater or sinking surface, sinking or
submerged on the
bottom