It can be hard to identify the signs and symptoms of drowning. While others may wave or call out when they initially start getting into difficulty, some may be drowning without making noise or moving much. 

You might only recognise that a person is drowning by seeing them under the water or floating face down. They may even have their head raised above the water with their arms instinctively to the side or in front of them and their head tilted back. If you call out to them and they don’t respond, this is a sign that they may be drowning. 

Other physical symptoms of drowning include: 

• Unresponsive to you calling out to them 
• Head positioned low with their mouth at water level 
• Glassy, unfocused eyes 
• Lack of movement 
• Gasping or hyperventilating