When someone is drowning, their instinctive reaction is to get air into their lungs. This often results in the person trying to scream or call for help as they surface briefly. However, screaming requires air flow over the vocal cords, which is difficult when the throat and mouth fill with water. So while a drowning person may attempt to scream, often little or no sound comes out.
Let’s take a deeper look at what happens when someone is drowning and examine if screaming is physically possible.
The Drowning Response
When submerged in water, the body’s automatic reaction is to hold the breath initially. But after some time, the carbon dioxide level in the blood rises and the “urge to breathe” becomes too strong to suppress. At that point, the drowning person involuntarily gasps for air, drawing water into the throat and lungs instead.
This triggers the laryngospasm reflex, which closes the vocal cords to try to block the water from entering the airway. Unfortunately, this also prevents any screaming or calling for help. The laryngospasm gives way to violent involuntary breathing after a time, taking on as much as 2 gallons of water per minute. During this stage, the person is unable to control their breathing voluntarily.
Instinctive Drowning Response
The instinctive drowning response involves these involuntary behaviors:
- Head low in the water, with mouth at water level
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Hair over forehead or eyes
- No supporting kick, vertical body position
- Hyperventilating and gasping after surfacing
- Arms extending to the side or front, pressing down for support
Notice that vocalizing or voluntary breathing is not part of this response. The person is unable to control their body’s reflexes at this point and cannot scream for help even if they wanted to.
What Prevents Screaming When Drowning?
There are several physiological factors that prevent someone from screaming while drowning:
Laryngospasm
The laryngospasm reflex causes the vocal cords in the larynx to slam shut in an attempt to protect the airway. This blocks water from entering the lungs but also prevents air from passing over the vocal cords to produce sound.
Breath-Holding
Many drowning people initially hold their breath as an automatic response when submerged. This breath-holding period prevents any air flow and vocalization.
Hyperventilation
When the person finally takes an involuntary breath, they often hyperventilate as the brain senses lack of oxygen. Fast, deep breaths make it difficult to control the voice enough to form a scream.
Fatigue
The tremendous effort to breathe and stay above water quickly leads to muscle fatigue. Weakened muscles, including the vocal cords, cannot produce an audible scream.
Disorientation
Drowning causes confusion and disorientation as the brain is deprived of oxygen. The person may not think clearly enough to realize screaming would help. They are also less aware of their location and unable to call for help effectively.
Panic
The sense of panic a drowning person feels contributes to breathing reflexes overtaking voluntary control. Their only priority is trying to get air, not screaming.
Water in the Throat and Lungs
Any water in the throat muffles sound and prevents vocalization. Once water enters the lungs, screaming becomes physically impossible.
Can People Ever Scream When Drowning?
While screaming is uncommon, there are a few circumstances where a drowning person may produce some vocal sounds:
- At the water’s surface during brief periods before laryngospasm closes the vocal cords
- Just before losing consciousness, when some air remains in the lungs
- Children, whose laryngospasm reflex may not be as strong
- In bathtubs or shallow water, where the mouth could be above water
However, these screams are generally weak and short-lived. The sound is often distorted or muffled by water and difficult to recognize as screaming. So while not completely silent, a truly drowning person cannot produce an effective, full-volume scream like we see in dramatic movie scenes.
Survival Tips for Drowning
Since screaming is usually impossible, what can you do to survive if drowning?
Conserve Energy
Don’t panic or thrash in the water, which expends energy needed for floating and breathing. Remain calm and float to conserve strength.
Shift Positions
Alternate floating on your front and back to allow breathing on the side that’s out of the water.
Regulate Breathing
If possible, take slow deep breaths instead of rapid shallow ones to maximize oxygen intake and delay hyperventilation.
Call for Help When Able
Use any brief opportunity at the surface to call for help before the laryngospasm closes your vocal cords.
Attempt to Attract Attention
Wave your arms, kick your legs, or splash strongly to attract attention if unable to vocalize.
| Age | Drowning Statistics |
|---|---|
| Under 4 | Most at risk age group |
| 1-4 | Leading cause of death |
| 10-14 | Second most at risk age group |
| 15-19 | Third most at risk age group |
Drowning Statistics
Here are some key statistics on drowning risks:
- Over 90% of drowning victims are unable to call for help
- Only about 2% of drowning victims are able to wave for help
- Children under 4 have the highest drowning rates
- Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for kids 1-4
- Boys under 14 are at greater risk than girls
- Alcohol is involved in about a third of teen and adult drownings
These statistics show why it is so critical to actively watch children near water and take steps to prevent potential drowning situations.
Worldwide Drowning Figures
Globally, an estimated 236,000 people die from drowning each year. Here’s a breakdown by region:
| Region | Annual Drowning Deaths |
|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | 131,000 |
| Africa | 38,000 |
| Americas | 29,000 |
| Europe | 18,000 |
| Eastern Mediterranean | 17,000 |
Low- and middle-income countries account for over 90% of these deaths. Lack of supervision for children and limited ability to swim contribute to the high rates.
How to Recognize Drowning
Since screaming is not a reliable indicator, how can you spot when someone is drowning? Key signs to look for include:
Appearance Clues
- Head low in water, tilted back with face up
- Eyes closed or unable to focus
- Blank stare lacking expression
- Hair over face or eyes
- Uncontrollable body position
Behavioral Cues
- No significant forward movement in the water
- Unable to call for help or wave
- Vertically bobbing up and down in water
- Evidence of hyperventilating when surfaced
Keep in mind that splashing, distress, and screaming are rare in real drowning situations. Recognizing these other physical and behavioral clues are critical for identifying and rescuing a drowning victim in time.
Preventing Drowning Accidents
Here are some tips to help prevent drowning accidents:
- Supervise children constantly around water
- Enroll kids in swim lessons
- Install fencing with self-closing gates around pools
- Empty small tubs and buckets immediately after use
- Have young and inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets
- Avoid alcohol use during swimming or boating
- Learn CPR and refresh skills regularly
Pool Safety
For backyard pools, isolate the pool with fencing and a locked gate. Install both door and pool alarms to notify you if the gate opens or someone enters the water. Keep rescue equipment poolside and have clear rules against running, pushing, and unsupervised swimming.
Open Water Safety
At the beach or lake, swim only in designated areas with a lifeguard present. Choose sites with shallow water for young swimmers. Privately owned docks and piers should have railings and life rings. Always use the buddy system and stay within arms’ reach of weak swimmers.
What to Do if Someone is Drowning
When you spot signs of distress in the water, take these steps:
- Yell for help. Have someone call emergency services.
- Throw buoyant objects like life rings or pool noodles to the victim.
- Extend a shepherd’s crook, paddle, or branch to pull them closer.
- If necessary, swim out and tow the person to safety.
- Once out of the water, begin CPR if the person is unresponsive.
- Treat for shock by keeping them warm until medics arrive.
The key is to act quickly – every second counts for someone who is drowning. Calling emergency services immediately helps ensure prompt medical treatment.
In-Water Rescue Tips
If entering the water, approach with caution. Drowning victims may latch onto you in panic, pulling you under. Use a rescue tube, kickboard, or other floating object to keep yourself safe during the rescue if possible.
After Rescue
Once safely out of the water, lay the person face up and check for breathing. Begin CPR and continue until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available. Vomit is common after a drowning rescue, so turn their head to clear the airway. Get emergency help on the way before beginning CPR if possible.
Conclusion
While dramatic movie scenes suggest otherwise, real drowning victims are rarely able to scream for help. Laryngospasm, breath-holding, water in the throat, and other factors make screaming nearly impossible. Instead of relying on vocalization, focus on recognizing the signs of distress and take quick action to rescue a drowning swimmer before it’s too late.