Current Events > PSA - Drowning doesn't always look like it does on TV

(+) Yeah! (+)

For anyone going on summer vacation at the beach soon, I'm always surprised this stuff isn't taught at school - it could help save a life.

https://slate.com/technology/2013/06/rescuing-drowning-children-how-to-know-when-someone-is-in-trouble-in-the-water.html

In 10 percent of drownings, adults are nearby but have no idea the victim is dying. Heres what to look for.

That's pretty scary actually. Unless you were really paying attention you might have no idea that anything was wrong until they went under. In a typical "families at the beach" scenario, you might be talking to other adults or on your phone or something and then look back and not even be able to find your kid.
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I had this experience, was drowning in a pool and trying to grasp anything, but some girls kicked me because they thought I'm trying to grope them.
luckily another swimmer noticed and helped me. the girls said I didn't look like I was drowning.
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We don't have any mechanism for sensing hypoxia. All we have is a sense of too much carbon dioxide.
That's why you'll just silently die in a high-nitrogen environment, without ever knowing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inert_gas_asphyxiation

This is where being fat comes in handy .
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cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

This. You can just float above water and live the dream.
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cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

Fat is a store of carbohydrate, not respirationally-available oxygen

cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

The funny thing is, I accidently clicked into this topic and this was the only post i read. I backed out of the topic and had no idea where this post was, did not expect it being in this topic lmao
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cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

It saved Pippi Longstocking's father.
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DrizztLink posted...

cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

It saved Pippi Longstocking's father.

Are you Swedish?

Nikra posted...

DrizztLink posted...

cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

It saved Pippi Longstocking's father.

Are you Swedish?

...No?

Is Pippi Longstockings a Swedish thing?
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The human brain is ludicrously dependent on oxygen.
Cut off the cellular respiration, and the brain will disintegrate, for no apparent reason, in about four minutes at about 25C/77F

Also remember that shallow water blackout is a thing and that EVERYBODY is vulnerable to it, even professional swimmers.

If you swim and try to hold your breath underwater it is possible to accidentally deprive yourself of oxygen and drown immediately. Swimming alone is dangerous.

DrizztLink posted...

Nikra posted...

DrizztLink posted...

cjsdowg posted...

This is where being fat comes in handy .

It saved Pippi Longstocking's father.

Are you Swedish?

...No?

Is Pippi Longstockings a Swedish thing?

Yeah it was written by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren >_>
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Also @OP - I think it's even more telling that the 10% statistic you quoted refers to parents literally watching their children drown without realizing they're drowning.
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clearaflagrantj posted...

Also remember that shallow water blackout is a thing and that EVERYBODY is vulnerable to it, even professional swimmers.

learn to backfloat.
If you can't do that, a simple fetal position will usually keep your mouth above water.

this is a good topic.
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I used to be a lifeguard and they kinda just slip under. There's no flailing arms lol
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Questionmarktarius posted...

clearaflagrantj posted...

Also remember that shallow water blackout is a thing and that EVERYBODY is vulnerable to it, even professional swimmers.

learn to backfloat.
If you can't do that, a simple fetal position will usually keep your mouth above water.

Shallow water blackout happens to professional swimmers dog.

It's the breathing mechanism, if you hyperventilate before swimming and try to hold your breath (to swim longer without breathing for example) you can pass out instantly and drown.

It's not a question of swimming ability, it's just always a risk

clearaflagrantj posted...

Questionmarktarius posted...

clearaflagrantj posted...

Also remember that shallow water blackout is a thing and that EVERYBODY is vulnerable to it, even professional swimmers.

learn to backfloat.
If you can't do that, a simple fetal position will usually keep your mouth above water.

Shallow water blackout happens to professional swimmers dog.

It's the breathing mechanism, if you hyperventilate before swimming and try to hold your breath (to swim longer without breathing for example) you can pass out instantly and drown.

It's not a question of swimming ability, it's just always a risk

I passed out and had a seizure after hyperventilating and holding my breath one time. I didn't drown though because I was sitting on my couch in my living room as opposed to being in water >_>. Was still a weird experience though and my friends who were also a bit drunk and high were like "wtf..."
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