The “Hollywood” version of drowning – violent thrashing with head above water and yelling for help – is a dangerous myth, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP), a non-profit safety advocacy group.
In reality, drowning is almost always “deceptively quiet… swift and silent,’’ the organization states, adding the most common indication might be that they “don’t look like they are drowning.’’
The person might even be treading water.
If there is any doubt as to whether or not someone is in trouble, ask if they are OK, the non-profit suggests. If they return a blank stare, then immediate steps should be taken to get to them.
Some of the signs of drowning, according to GLSRP:
-- Facing shore
-- Mouth at water level
-- Head tilted back
-- Look of panic or eyes glassy or closed
-- Hyperventilating or gasping
-- Vertical in water and not using legs for forward swimming movement
-- Ladder climbing motion, rarely out of the water
-- Hair over forehead or eyes
-- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
-- Colleen Creamer