The Startling Truth About Drowning: It Can Happen in Seconds

A drowning can occur in just a few seconds, contrary to what many believe, according to a new study. At the same time, parents of young children are often too far from their bathing kids.

"Young children should never be more than an arm's length away from an adult," says water safety expert Eva Schüler.

Nearly six out of ten people think it takes up to a minute to drown, according to a Novus survey conducted on behalf of Trygg-Hansa and the Swedish Lifesaving Society. However, it can happen in as little as 20 seconds, according to Eva Schüler, a water safety expert at Trygg-Hansa.

"It's such a brief moment that can change a life," she says.

She emphasizes that drowning doesn't look like it does in movies, with people panicking, waving their arms, and shouting for help. It happens quietly and quickly.

"What often happens when a person goes underwater is that they take a deep breath and get water in their lungs."

Parents Stand Too Far Away

More than half of the respondents feel they have little knowledge of how to act in a drowning situation, according to the survey. Four out of ten parents with children aged 2 to 12 also feel stressed about being responsible for other people's bathing children.

"I think it's like everything else; stress can probably disappear if we have the knowledge and competence with us."

Almost all of the surveyed parents believe they have a good watch over their own children, but more than half admit they have lost sight of them at some point.

More than half also report that they stand at the water's edge or dock when supervising their children. These are good intentions but not enough, according to Eva Schüler.

"If you stand at the dock or shoreline, it takes longer than 20 seconds to reach a child who goes underwater. Young children should never be more than an arm's length away from an adult."

"Worth the Discomfort"

Three out of ten parents also believe that other parents usually have poor supervision over their children. Eva Schüler understands that it can be uncomfortable to speak up but emphasizes that it's a matter of life and death.

"You can do it in a nice way, actually reminding them that it happens very quickly if a drowning occurs. It might be worth the discomfort for a short moment."