How to recognize drowning signs
What does drowning look like? It may not be what you expect. Review the common signs and helpful tips for drowning prevention.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) shared in 2024 that data from 2018 - 2021 indicates more than 4,000 drowning-related deaths occur annually in the U.S. making it the second-leading cause of accidental death among children 5 - 14. It highlights the importance of being prepared for water-related emergencies. To help confirm the safety of your loved ones, it's helpful that you, your family and any caregivers are prepared to handle emergencies and can identify the signs of drowning.
Myths of drowning
Drowning in water might not always be obvious. Here are some myths that the CDC helps dispel when it comes to drowning:
Myth 1: A person drowning will be loud and call for help
Drowning is often silent and can happen in a matter of seconds. A drowning victim may not be able to speak due to struggling to breathe. This is especially true for children.
Myth 2: A person drowning will wave their arms and legs frantically to signal for help.
A drowning person may not be able to move their arms and legs freely. Their body will likely be in a vertical position, and they may be pressing down on the water, almost as if they’re climbing a ladder. This movement is often an attempt to lift their head out of the water to breathe.
Myth 3: Drowning only happens in large bodies of water
Drowning can occur in any body of water, regardless of size. This includes swimming pools, beaches, ponds and bathtubs. Young children are particularly at risk of drowning in shallow water, such as the shallow end of a pool or a bathtub.
Myth 4: Safety equipment guarantees safety
Safety equipment like life jackets is crucial, especially in open water. However, a drowning person might be unable to reach rescue equipment. For children, floats and other safety devices are strongly recommended but should never replace adult supervision.
Myth 5: Knowing how to swim prevents drowning
Anyone can drown. Even children or adults who have recently learned to swim can drown due to sudden or stressful situations. It’s important to be aware of potential swimming pool hazards and how they may lead to injury.
Signs of drowning
What do drowning victims look like? Here are some warning signs that someone might be drowning:
- Silent — the person is quiet, especially if it’s a child.
- Breathing issues — look for hyperventilating or gasping.
- Hair in the face — hair may be covering their forehead or eyes.
- Body position — they are upright in the water without kicking their legs.
- Facial expressions — their eyes might be glassy, unable to focus or closed.
- Head position — their head is low in the water and possibly tilted back with an open mouth.
- Blank expression — they don't appear distressed, may look blank and can't answer if they're okay.
- Unsuccessful movements — they may be trying and failing to float on their back, appearing to climb an invisible ladder or struggling to swim in a particular direction without making progress.
Drowning prevention tips
To help prevent drowning incidents, consider the following safety tips:
- Always supervise children near water.
- Wear a life jacket while boating.
- Enroll in swimming lessons.
- Take CPR classes.
- Install a fence around your pool and shut the gate.
- Be cautious around natural bodies of water.
- Use the buddy system.
- Avoid holding your breath for extended periods.
- Don't hyperventilate before entering the water.
- Be mindful of how medications and medical conditions can impair judgment and swimming ability.
"Reach-throw-row-go" method
“Reach-throw-row-go” is a water safety method to help rescue a drowning person. Wear or put on your life jacket during any of these steps to help prepare yourself before helping the drowning person:
- Reach — use a long object such as a paddle, pool noodle or branch that can extend and reach the person drowning.
- Throw — if you're unable to reach a person drowning, throw them a floatation device or even a rope so you can help pull them.
- Row — safely row or paddle to the drowning person and then pull them to safety.
- Go — consider only going into the water as the last option and only if you’re a trained rescuer with a floatation aid. Otherwise, go call for help.
Call 911 immediately if someone is found unconscious after a drowning incident. Remember to be watchful near water and take precautions to help prevent accidents.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
