why do people drown?

[Printer Bandit]

don't they know they can float on their back?

 

[brainhulk]

since my body is mostly muscle, i don't float on my back. Fatties float really well though

 

[Destiny]

since my body is mostly muscle, i don't float on my back. Fatties float really well though

Same here... I just sink... along with my parents' dreams of me becoming an Olympic diver...

 

[Crono]

In most potential drowning situations I'm guessing people find it hard to not panic and struggle in the water.

 

[OverVolt]

Panic@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

 

[Rastus]

I can't float on my back, but I can find a position that I can rest in with my nose above the water.

 

[Chrono]

Even if you have muscle you can still float. Just gotta learn the proper technique.

 

[dawp]

because they can't breath water?

 

[Spungo]

Floating is pretty useless when water is splashing into your mouth and nose. It could be waves in a lake or it could be someone splashing in a pool.

 

[BoomerD]

since my body is mostly muscle, i don't float on my back. Fatties float really well though

I'll have to argue with you on that last bit...I'm fat and I sink like a fucking rock. Big feet and large muscular legs (or they used to be very muscular) pull me straight to the bottom.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

because they can't breath water?

Fish can. Why not humans?

 

[surfsatwerk]

don't they know they can float on their back?

Sure I suppose they could... if I hadn't chained them to concrete block.

 

[MontyAC]

Some people don't know how to float?

 

[pelov]

They drowned because they were witches.

 

[Vdubchaos]

MANY reasons

-knocked unconscious
-fatigue/lack of skill
-Currents

etc

There is ALWAYS a good reason.....most don't want to die.

 

[moonbogg]

The jellyfish did it.

 

[Baked]

Here is what you need to know to spot a drowning victim:

1. Drowning victims don’t scream or call out for help. They are saving their energy to stay afloat.
2. Drowning victims don’t wave their arms wildly. They put their arms out to the side and their heads are titled back.
3. Drowning victims are not leaning forward. They try to stand straight up in the water and push themselves up.
4. Most importantly, drowning is NOT loud and noisy it is silent and swift.

 

[rayfieldclement]

People drown because they don't know or CAN'T do the proper technique to stay above the water or swim.

 

[MixMasterTang]

They drowned because they were witches.

I thought witches float, because they are like wood. If she burns then she's a witch!

 

[darkxshade]

I can't swim for shit... I took lessons and still can't float that well. That was when I was a bit fatter too. Now I'm 5'8 with about 11% body fat and I weigh 175lbs so I'm pretty certain it's lot more difficult now than it was before.

Some people can float on their back without moving their arms/legs... I just can't do it. I've had my instructor place their hands under my lower back to keep me up but as soon as they let go, my legs just trail back into the water until I'm upright. I just don't know what it is, I just can't keep my legs up when I lie on my back calm and relaxed. If I kick my legs though, I could stay afloat for as long as I'm doing it.

edit: I also have a very difficult time keeping water from going up my nose when underwater on my back. I just don't know how to close the passageway.

 

[pelov]

I thought witches float, because they are like wood. If she burns then she's a witch!

Nonono

Ordeal of cold water
The ordeal of cold water has a precedent in the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Code of Hammurabi, under which a man accused of sorcery was to be submerged in a stream and acquitted if he survived

Though I guess different societies had different ways of dispatching blasphemers.

 

[TridenT]

Even if you have muscle you can still float. Just gotta learn the proper technique.

I have excellent technique and I cannot float. If you do not have a lot of body fat then it can be very hard or even impossible to float.

There are a lot of swimming myths/misconceptions in this thread.

 

[spidey07]

If water splashes on your vocal chords they will clamp shut preventing you from breathing. The body does this to keep water out of your lungs.

 

[SandEagle]

because G_d wills it

 

[spidey07]

I have excellent technique and I cannot float. If you do not have a lot of body fat then it can be very hard or even impossible to float.

There are a lot of swimming myths/misconceptions in this thread.

You're doing it wrong then. Everybody will float regardless of body fat. Your lungs are your life preserver, keep them filled with air and don't exhale more than 1/3rd of your capacity. You will float.