What does "active drowning" look like?

Active drowning is characterized by the victim's struggle to keep their head above water, which typically includes noticeable signs of distress. During this phase, the person may be unable to call for help due to the physical exhaustion and the instinctual focus on survival, which limits their ability to vocalize or signal for assistance. The body of an actively drowning individual will often exhibit erratic movements, such as flailing arms or a vertical position in the water, as they attempt to push themselves above the surface. Understanding these signs is crucial for lifeguards and bystanders, as recognizing an actively drowning individual allows for timely intervention, which can be lifesaving.

The other options do not accurately reflect active drowning behavior; for instance, floating calmly or swimming towards the shore suggests a level of comfort and control, while screaming for help indicates the individual is able to vocalize their distress, which contradicts the characteristics of active drowning.