Drowningis the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. Drowning happens when a person's nose and mouth are under water for too long, making it impossible to breath.

Death occurs after the lungs take in water. This water intake then interferes with breathing. The lungs become heavy, and oxygen stops being delivered to the heart. Without the supply of oxygen, the body shuts down. The average person can hold their breath for around 30 seconds. For children, the length is even shorter.

Drowning occurs when water comes into contact with the larynx (voice box). After an initial gasp, there is a period of voluntary breath-holding. This is followed by spasms of the larynx and the development of hypoxemia (hypo=low + ox=oxygen + emia=blood), or decreased levels of oxygen in the bloodstream.

It takes only a few seconds to drown, but it can take up to three minutes for a person submerged in water to become unconscious. During this time, their airway may be blocked by fluid in the lungs or mouth, making breathing difficult or impossible. Here’s what happens to the body during drowning.