Most people are not buoyant without lungs full of air and the aid of supportive strokes of the arms and legs. For weak, exhausted or injured people, the loss of buoyancy in deep water is a life-threatening emergency.
It is important that you can recognise the difference between a distressed and a drowning victim. It is noted that the signs of a distressed victim will be highly visible where a drowning victim will be much more subtle.
Distressed victims
A victim who is in distress is struggling to maintain buoyancy and unable to return to safety without assistance. Signs of a distressed victim include:
- a swim stroke that barely clears the water with no visible kick
- attempting to swim towards safety
- an awkward position in the water caused by grasping an injured limb or body part
- calling for help, raising or waving an arm
- clinging to an object
- flailing arms
- facing the shore
- holding their breath, cheeks puffed out, displaying a wide-eyed fearful look
- having hair in their eyes as they are more concerned about keeping their head above water
- making no attempt to duck under a wave
- two heads together as two people try to keep each other afloat.
Drowning victims
Drowning victims are unable to support themselves in a position that maintains their air supply. Drowning victims usually have little or no buoyancy. Signs of a drowning victim include:
- bobbing up and down
- facing the shore
- floating face down at or below the surface
- ineffectively treading water with their head tilted back (‘climbing the ladder’)
- limited attempts to call for help, raise or wave an arm
- lying immobilised underwater
- mouth at water level
- non-supportive leg action
- vertical body position.
Drowning process
Drowning is defined as the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. The drowning process may result in fatal drowning or non-fatal drowning.
Below are the main stages of the drowning process.
- Airway compromised—normal breathing is interrupted as the victim’s face is immersed in water. The victim may initially hold their breath but will then cough and begin vigorous breathing efforts while both swallowing and inhaling water. The victim has difficulty maintaining buoyancy for a period of time.
- Instinctive reflex—the victim loses buoyancy and may be below the surface. After a period of time holding their breath, the urge to breathe becomes overwhelming and a victim will attempt to inhale despite being under water. This inhalation introduces water into the airway, preventing oxygen from reaching the alveoli and damaging the lungs. Swallowing water may also cause the victim to vomit or regurgitate.
- Unconsciousness—the victim becomes unconscious due to decreased oxygen delivery to the vital organs, including the brain and heart. Brain cells begin to suffer due to lack of oxygen and will quickly die if oxygen supply is not restored. The victim is usually below the surface.
- Death—the lack of oxygen leads to progressively worsening heart function, then finally the complete cessation of any heartbeat.
Fatal drowning
The victim experiences respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid, which leads to unconsciousness then death.
On average, there are 99 fatal drownings on Australia’s coast each year[18]. For more information on coastal drowning, refer to the SLSA National Coastal Safety Report. This report is produced annually.
Always follow your local SOPs when assisting with body retrieval operations. You may also refer to SLSA Emergency Management Guidelines in the SLS Members Area Document Library for more information.
Non-fatal drowning
The victim experiences respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. Water has entered their airways, which may cause them to become unconscious and/or suffer an ongoing illness from the event.
Victims may be rescued from underwater and be conscious or unconscious. Conscious victims may report swallowing water and experiencing coughing spasms. Other signs may include:
- disorientation
- persistent coughing
- vomiting
- water draining from the mouth and nose.
Any victim who has experienced a non-fatal drowning event must not be left unattended and should receive further medical treatment as water within a victim’s lungs can lead to serious complications. Always follow DRSABCD protocols.
On average, there are 38 non-fatal drownings on Australia’s coast each year[19]. For more information on non-fatal drowning, refer to the SLSA National Coastal Safety Report. This report is produced annually and is available on the SLSA website.