Req 3b — Identifying Distress
One of the most important lifesaving skills is not physical — it is visual. Being able to see that someone is in trouble, even when they cannot call for help, can mean the difference between a rescue and a tragedy. The challenge is that real drowning looks nothing like drowning in movies or on TV.
The Instinctive Drowning Response
When a person is actively drowning, their body takes over with an automatic survival response. A researcher named Dr. Frank Pia identified this pattern and called it the Instinctive Drowning Response. Here is what it actually looks like:
- Arms press down and out to the sides, not waving overhead. The body is using the arms to push down on the water to keep the mouth above the surface.
- No call for help. Breathing takes priority over speech. The person’s mouth bobs above and below the surface just long enough to gasp for air — not to shout.
- Body is vertical in the water with no visible kick. The person appears to be climbing an invisible ladder.
- It lasts only 20 to 60 seconds before the person goes under for good.
This means drowning is almost always silent. There is no splashing, no screaming, and no waving. If you are waiting for someone to yell “Help!” you may be waiting too long.
Distressed Swimmer vs. Active Drowning
Not every person in trouble is actively drowning. It is important to tell the difference, because your rescue approach will change.
Distressed Swimmer:
- Can still wave or call for help
- May be floating or treading water poorly
- Can still follow instructions (“Grab this! Kick your feet!”)
- Has some ability to assist in their own rescue
- Has more time before the situation becomes critical
Active Drowning (Instinctive Drowning Response):
- Cannot wave or call for help
- Mouth is at or just below the surface
- Body is vertical, no effective kick
- Cannot follow instructions or grab equipment voluntarily
- Has 20–60 seconds before submersion
Passive Drowning:
- Person is unconscious or unresponsive in the water
- Floating facedown or just below the surface
- No movement at all
- Often the result of a medical emergency, head injury, or shallow-water blackout
What to Watch For
Beyond the drowning response itself, there are other clues that someone may need help:
Warning Signs
Red flags that someone may be in trouble
- A swimmer who was active has suddenly gone quiet and still
- Eyes that are glassy, unfocused, or closed
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Hair over the forehead or eyes with no attempt to clear it
- A swimmer drifting into deeper water without seeming to notice
- Hyperventilating or gasping at the surface
- A swimmer who looks like they are trying to roll onto their back but cannot
- A child who has been underwater for more than 30 seconds
Scanning Technique
Professional lifeguards use a systematic scanning technique to watch their assigned area. You can practice this too:
- Move your eyes in a pattern — left to right across the water, then back. Do not stare at one spot.
- Complete a full scan every 10 seconds. This sounds fast, but it ensures you catch problems early.
- Pay extra attention to transition zones — the boundary between shallow and deep water, areas near pool drains, and spots where currents run.
- Count heads. If you know how many people are in the water, a missing head stands out immediately.