Drowning isn't as obvious as it seems

The season to enjoy the water has begun.

Kids are out for summer, taking trips to the beach with their parents, but along with fun in the water comes the the threat of drowning.

Rip currents or lack of swimming experience can lead to drowning but it isn't always as easy as it seems to spot a drowning swimmer.

Hollywood productions portray drowning swimmers as flailing and calling for help. But, according an article in On Scene , the Journal of the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue, that is called aquatic distress.

The article, penned by Mario Vittone a longtime search and rescue serviceman and Dr. Francesco Pia, says victims in distress are still able to help save themselves by grabbing onto a flotation device.

Though it's usually present before drowning begins, not all drowning victims display aquatic distress. In any case, the more serious problem is when victims' bodies begin the "instinctive drowning response."

The article says that drowning people are usually unable to call for help because their body is in survival mode. The respiratory system is built to breathe; speech is secondary. In a situation where oxygen is scarce, it can be impossible to yell.

Instead, the body tries to exhale and inhale as quickly as possible before the mouth is pulled below the water's surface again.

Similarly, the victim's arms can't wave for help or thrash to cause splashing because they are instinctively at their sides trying to push their body to the surface of the water again to breathe. According to the article, victims can't control their arm movements.

After about 20 to 60 seconds, if help doesn't come, a drowning person will tire out and completely submerge.

Vittone says there are other signs you can look for that indicate a drowning victim:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs – Vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder.