A Writer's Blueprint for Realistic Drowning Scenes
This guide is designed to help writers depict drowning scenes with authenticity and detail. I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of drowning, the physical signs to look for and clear up some common misconceptions. With this information, you’ll have the tools to craft vivid, compelling, and believable drowning scenarios that will captivate your readers and add depth to your narrative.
Fair warning; this is a comprehensive and pretty explicit guide, so if you're uncomfortable with those topics, please just scroll away.
The Stages of Drowning
1. Initial Entry
When a person first enters the water, especially unexpectedly, their initial reaction is often one of shock and panic. The sudden change in environment, temperature, and the feeling of being submerged triggers an immediate response from the body.
Shock Response
Cold Water Immersion: Sudden immersion in cold water can cause a cold shock response, which includes involuntary gasping, hyperventilation, and a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Panic and Disorientation: The person may become disoriented and panic, struggling to stay afloat and breathe normally.
2. Involuntary Breath-Holding
As the person struggles to keep their head above water, they instinctively hold their breath to prevent water from entering their lungs.
Burning Sensation in Lungs
The buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood creates a burning sensation in the lungs, which intensifies the feeling of panic.
Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
The body's stress response causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, further depleting oxygen reserves.
3. Uncontrolled Breathing
When the person can no longer hold their breath, the body's reflexes take over, leading to involuntary attempts to breathe.
Aspiration of Water
Water enters the mouth and is aspirated into the lungs, causing coughing, choking, and a strong gag reflex.
Coughing and Choking
The person may cough and choke as water enters the respiratory tract, leading to more panic and struggle.
Gasping for Air
The body's desperate attempt to get oxygen leads to gasping, but often results in inhaling more water.
4. Laryngospasm
The body's protective reflex to prevent water from entering the lungs can cause the vocal cords to spasm, temporarily sealing the airway.
Temporary Airway Closure
The laryngospasm closes the airway, preventing both water and air from entering the lungs.
Increased CO2 and Decreased O2
As carbon dioxide levels rise and oxygen levels fall, the person becomes increasingly hypoxic.
5. Loss of Consciousness
Due to the lack of oxygen, the person loses consciousness.
Hypoxia and Hypercapnia
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and hypercapnia (excess carbon dioxide) cause confusion, dizziness, and loss of motor control.
Fading Senses
Vision blurs, hearing diminishes, and the sense of touch becomes numb.
Blackout
The brain, deprived of oxygen, shuts down, leading to unconsciousness.
6. Cardiac Arrest
Prolonged oxygen deprivation leads to cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating.
Cessation of Breathing
Respiratory effort ceases as the brain's control over breathing is lost.
Heart Stops Beating
The heart, deprived of oxygen, stops beating, leading to complete circulatory failure.
Brain Damage and Death
Without intervention, brain cells die from lack of oxygen, leading to permanent brain damage and eventually death.
7. Aftermath (if Rescued)
If the person is rescued and resuscitated, there are immediate and long-term consequences to consider.
Immediate Aftermath
CPR and First Aid: Immediate resuscitation efforts, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator if necessary.
Hospitalization: The person will likely need to be hospitalized for further treatment and monitoring.
Long-Term Effects
Lung Damage: Inhalation of water can cause damage to the lung tissues, leading to conditions like pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Neurological Damage: Prolonged lack of oxygen can result in brain damage, affecting cognitive and motor functions.
Psychological Impact: Survivors may experience PTSD, anxiety, and a lasting fear of water.
Physical Appearance During Drowning
1. Initial Entry
Shock Response
Wide Eyes and Gasping Mouth: Eyes are wide open, and the mouth is often open in a gasp or scream.
Flailing Limbs: Arms and legs are moving rapidly in an attempt to regain balance and stay afloat.
2. Involuntary Breath-Holding
Tensed Muscles
Rigid Body: Muscles are tensed, and the body may appear stiff as the person tries to maintain control.
Strained Facial Expression: The face may show strain, with furrowed brows and tightly closed eyes.
3. Uncontrolled Breathing
Coughing and Choking
Reddened Face and Eyes: The face may turn red from the effort of coughing and choking.
Foaming at the Mouth: A frothy mixture of saliva and water may be visible around the mouth.
Gasping for Air
Open Mouth and Wide Eyes: The mouth is open wide in an attempt to gasp for air, and the eyes may be bulging with fear.
Erratic Movements: The person’s movements become more erratic and uncoordinated as they struggle to breathe.
4. Laryngospasm
Silent Struggle
Mouth Opening and Closing: The person may appear to be gasping silently as the airway is temporarily sealed.
Clenching Throat: Hands may instinctively clutch at the throat in a futile attempt to open the airway.
5. Loss of Consciousness
Limp Body
Floating Limply: The body becomes limp and may float face down or sink slightly below the surface.
Pale or Blue Skin: Skin may turn pale or blue (cyanosis) due to lack of oxygen.
Relaxed Facial Features
Closed Eyes: Eyes close as the person loses consciousness.
Slack Jaw: The jaw may go slack, and the mouth could be partially open.
6. Cardiac Arrest
Unconsciousness
Still Body: The body is completely still, with no voluntary movements.
Gray or Blue Skin: Skin color becomes ashen, gray, or blue, particularly around the lips and extremities.
7. After Drowning (Post-Rescue Appearance)
If the person is rescued, their appearance post-drowning can indicate the extent of their ordeal and the immediate aftermath.
Immediate Aftermath
Waterlogged Clothing: Clothes may be heavy and waterlogged, clinging to the body.
Coughing and Vomiting: The person may cough up water or vomit as they are resuscitated.
Shivering: If the water was cold, the person might be shivering uncontrollably due to hypothermia.
Long-Term Appearance
Bruising and Cuts: There may be bruises or cuts from the struggle in the water or the rescue process.
Pale or Blue Skin: Skin color might still show signs of cyanosis if oxygen levels are low.
Labored Breathing: Breathing may remain labored and shallow as the lungs recover.
Ways to Drown
Being Tied Down with a Stone
An ancient method where a person is weighted down with a heavy object, preventing them from surfacing.
Pulled Under by a Strong Current
Strong currents or rip tides can overpower a swimmer, pulling them away from safety and making it difficult to stay afloat.
Trapped Under a Capsized Boat
In the event of a boat capsizing, a person can become trapped underneath, unable to reach the surface for air.
Caught in Underwater Vegetation
Dense underwater plants can entangle a swimmer, restricting their movements and preventing them from surfacing.
Unable to Swim in Deep Water
Lack of swimming skills or fatigue in deep water can lead to drowning if the person cannot keep themselves afloat.
Falling Through Ice
Falling through thin ice can trap a person in freezing water, with the ice making it difficult to find an exit.
Getting Caught in a Riptide
A riptide can drag a swimmer out to sea, making it hard to swim back to shore due to the strong current.
Swimming Exhaustion
Overexertion while swimming can lead to exhaustion, making it impossible to continue treading water or swimming to safety.
Diving Accident
A diving mishap, such as hitting one’s head or getting disoriented underwater, can result in drowning.
Shipwreck
In a shipwreck scenario, a person may be stranded in open water, facing potential drowning due to exhaustion, exposure, or lack of flotation devices.
Common Misconceptions About Drowning
1. Drowning is Always Loud and Dramatic
Many people believe that drowning involves a lot of splashing, shouting, and waving for help. In reality, drowning is often a silent and quick event.
Instinctive Drowning Response: When a person is drowning, their body prioritizes breathing over waving or shouting. The struggle to get air means they can’t call for help.
Quiet Struggle: Drowning individuals might be bobbing up and down, with their mouths at water level, making little noise as they gasp for air.
2. People Always Recognize Drowning
It's a common belief that drowning is easily recognizable. However, many drownings go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Subtle Signs: Drowning can look like someone treading water or trying to swim. Signs can be subtle, such as bobbing up and down, head tilted back with mouth open, or eyes glassy and empty.
Misinterpreted Behaviors: Bystanders might mistake a drowning person for someone playing or simply floating.
3. Only Weak Swimmers Drown
Many assume that only those who can’t swim well are at risk of drowning, but even strong swimmers can drown under certain conditions.
Fatigue and Cramps: Strong swimmers can become exhausted, suffer from cramps, or panic, leading to drowning.
Environmental Factors: Strong currents, cold water, and underwater hazards can overwhelm even the best swimmers.
4. Drowning Happens Immediately
There’s a misconception that drowning happens instantly. While it can be quick, it often takes a few minutes for a person to drown.
Struggling Phase: The initial struggle can last for 20-60 seconds, during which the person is trying to stay afloat and breathe.
Silent Submersion: After this, they may silently submerge, often unnoticed.
5. Drowning Only Happens in Deep Water
Many people think that drowning only occurs in deep water. However, shallow water can be just as dangerous.
Shallow Water Drowning: Drowning can occur in as little as a few inches of water, especially with young children or if someone is unconscious.
Bathtubs and Pools: Many drownings occur in bathtubs, kiddie pools, or even buckets.
6. Life Jackets Are Only Needed on Boats
It's commonly believed that life jackets are only necessary when boating, but they are crucial in many other water-related activities.
Swimming and Water Sports: Life jackets provide essential buoyancy and can save lives in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and during water sports.
Unexpected Situations: Wearing a life jacket can prevent drowning in unexpected situations, like sudden falls into water.
7. People Float After Drowning
A prevalent myth is that drowning victims float on the surface after they die, but this is not always the case.
Initial Sinking: Initially, a drowned body may sink due to the density of the tissues and lack of air in the lungs.
Later Floating: Bodies often float later due to gas buildup from decomposition, but this can take days.
8. Drowning Victims Always Look Distressed
People often think that drowning victims will look distressed or visibly in danger, but many can appear calm and quiet.
Passive Drowning: Drowning individuals may appear to be calmly treading water or just floating.
Lack of Visible Struggle: There may be no visible struggle, making it hard to identify the danger.
9. CPR is Ineffective After Drowning
Some believe that once a person has drowned, CPR cannot help. However, immediate CPR can be life-saving.
Restarting Breathing: CPR can help restart the victim’s breathing and circulation, buying crucial time until emergency services arrive.
Rescue Breathing: Effective rescue breathing can oxygenate the lungs and increase the chances of revival.
Resources
Books
"The Science of Drowning" by Sports Aid Intl
“It offers a significant departure from how drowning is traditionally treated by combining discussions about medical, prevention, and intervention issues.”
Link
"The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea" by Sebastian Junger
A gripping account of the 1991 storm that hit the North Atlantic and the fishermen caught in its deadly grip, providing insights into the perilous nature of the sea and drowning.
Link
Articles
"Drowning vs Aquatic Distress" by Crunderwood
An article detailing the science of drowning + some interesting points.
Link to article
"Drowning Victim" by SLRG
How to identify a drowning person besides the typical flailing.
Link to article
"Drowning Treatment" by WebMD
Guidelines and tips for healing/treating a drowning person.
Link to article
Websites
American Red Cross: Water Safety Tips
Provides extensive information on water safety, drowning prevention, and emergency response.
Link to website
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
A dedicated organization focused on preventing drowning through education, research, and advocacy.
Link to website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Drowning Prevention
Offers statistics, prevention strategies, and safety tips to reduce the risk of drowning.
Link to website
Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?
Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Quillology with Haya Sameer; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors! While you’re at it, don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!
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The Grand A-Z List of Whump 3/3
This list contains 194 items listed R to Z
As always, I heavily encourage people to research topics thoroughly when writing as it is important to avoid stereotypes/misinformation. This list's intention is to not glorify/romanticise sensitive topics in any way.
This is a comprehensive list of injuries, Illnesses and tropes - including those from the Whumptober 2023 trope vote!
All submissions are listed in italics, and those who wanted to be tagged will be included at the end. If you have any more submissions: please send them via DM/my ask box.
[A-H]
[I-Q]
[NSFW List]
List below the cut:
R
Rabies
Radiation Poisoning/Exposure
Radio Silence
Ransom Note/Video
Rashes
Recovery
Reducing breaks or dislocations (bonus: out in the field with no painkillers available)
Reflection
Rejection
Reluctant Caretaker
Reluctant Whumpee
Reminded of trauma
Reopened Wound
Repressed Emotions
Repressed trauma resurfacing
Rescue
Rescued by the enemy
Rescues gone wrong
Respiratory Distress
Restraints
Reuniting
Revenge
Ringing Ears
Ritual sacrifice
Rockslides
Role Reversal
Rope Burns
Running fingers through hair (maliciously or comfortingly)
Running Out of Air
Ruptured eardrum
S
Sacrifice
Sadistic Choice
Sartorial constraints
Scars
Scoliosis
Scraped Knees
Scratched corneas
Scratches
Seasickness
Second impact syndrome
Secrets
Sedated
Seeing double
Seizures
Self esteem issues
Self induced injury to escape
Self sacrifice
Self-aid
Self-inflicted injury (to escape)
Semi-consciousness
Sensory Deprivation/Overload
Sentimental Items
Separation
Sepsis
Servitude
Setbacks in recovery
Severed Artery
Shaking Hands
Shipwreck
Shivering
Shock
Shock collar
Shot (gun, arrow, dart, etc...)
Shrapnel (blast/wounds)
Sick/injured at a party
Skull fracture
Slapped
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep Paralysis
Sleeping in the cold
Sleeplessness
Smashing their head into a wall
Smoke Inhalation
Snake Bites
Sneezing
So sick they can barely even stand or stay awake
Significant other taking care of wounds
So weak they have to hold on to something or someone to walk
Solitary Confinement
Special object being ruined/torn apart
Spinal Cord Injury
Split lip
Sprains
Stab Wounds
Stabbed (sword, spear, knife, TRIDENT!, etc...)
Stabbed through the back by the only person the whumpee trusted
Stage fright
Stalking
Status epilepticus
Stiches
Stings (insect, creature, plants)
Stitches
Stoic/Defiant Whumpee
Stoic/Rude/Harsh Reluctant Caregiver!Mentor & Ball of Sunshine Hurt!Mentee (platonic)
Stomach ache
Stomach Ulcers (a cause for vomiting up blood)
Stomach virus
Straight Jacket
Strangling
Strangulation resulting in bruised or swollen vocal chords and loss of voice + the process of regaining your voice and everything that comes with that trauma.
Stress (this could induce headaches/general illness)
Stress Position
Stumbling
Sucking chest wound
Suffocating
Sunburn
Super glued to toilet
Surgery
Surgery gone wrong
Surrendering
Survivor's Guilt
Swollen Lymph Nodes
T
Tachycardia
Taking the bullet
TBI (traumatic brain injury)
Team as a family
Team has a certain amount of time to get to their Whumpee before they’re killed
Team teaming up to take care of sick teammate
Temporary Loss of Sense(s)
Tendonitis
Tetanus
The Final Straw
Thrown from an explosion
Time Loop
Tiny whump
Tonsillitis
Tooth knocked out
Torn Ligaments - Achilles, Meniscus etc.
Torn Muscles
Torture
Touch Aversion/Touch Starved
Tranquilizer Dart
Trap
Trapped (whether this is after an explosion, car accident, natural disaster…)
Trapped Limbs
Trapped underwater
Trauma reveal
Tremors
Trust Issues
Truth spell/serum
Tuberculosis
Twisted ankle
U
Undead (vampires and ghosts and zombies, oh my!)
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
Unresponsive
Upper respiratory infection
Used as bait
Usually big, strong and boisterous whumpee becomes quiet and weaker as the whumper conditions them.
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
V
Vampire whump
Vampires Thrall
Vehicular Accident
Venom
Vertigo
Very badly hurt and on life support - with slow recovery
Virus
Visions
Vocal chord paralysis
Vomiting/Vomiting blood
W
Waterboarding
West Nile virus
Whip scars
Whipping/Flogging
Whumpee being psychologically tortured via fake escape scenarios so when they are actually getting rescued they don't believe it. bonus point if they still don't think anything is real.
Whumpee dreams of a loved one happily inviting them “home” (They're actually dying IRL)
Whumpee getting the upper hand over whumper.
Whumpee stabbing whumper or beating their head into the ground over and over while sobbing, even when they’re clearly dead because they NEED to take their emotions out.
Whumpee turned Whumper
Whumpee watches caretaker take a bullet/hit/poison for them.
Whumper turned Caretaker
Whumper turned whumpee
Whumper with a crush
Wincing/Flinching
Wing whump
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Withdrawal
Withholding Medical Treatment
Witnessing. (Whumpee sees someone die in a brutal way. Whumpee sees someone get possessed/turned into a zombie/some other horrifying thing and they just stare horrified.)
Working for the enemy
Working through injury/illness
Working to Exhaustion
Wrists rubbed raw
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Wrongfully Accused/Arrested
Wrongfully fired
X
Xeroderma. (Extreme sun sensitivity)
XMRV is a newly identified human retrovirus that is similar to a group of mouse retroviruses (called murine leukaemia viruses, or MLVs)
Y
Yellow Fever
Z
Zombie virus, etc.
Zoonotic Hookworm
Zoonotic illness (It’s a disease carried or transmitted by animals to humans like tularemia or psittacosis)
Zosler (Shingles)
Zygomycosis (Fungal infection)
TAG LIST: Thank you very much to the following people for submitting ideas! (I apologise if some tags did not work, I'm not sure why tumblrs not letting me tag you!)
@I-eat-worlds | @greygullhaven | @letsgowhump | @cyberwhumper @firapolemos05 | @originaldeerhottub | @whumpilicious | @drawing-dinos82 | @carenrose | @stellarinuscronicles | @gottheseasonalblues | @marvelflame2010 | @sowhumpful | @avamcu | @courtneygacha | @lordofthewhumps | @autismmydearwatson | @kuddelmuddell | @the-most-handsome-ginger | @whirls-and-swirls | @painsandconfusion
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Feeling Sick More Often? It Could Be “Long COVID” - Published Sept 3, 2024
While many of us would simply like to move on from all things “COVID,” unfortunately, not all can. In fact, a growing number of people – even millions – are still battling lingering symptoms. Often known as “long COVID” or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), these symptoms range wide and far.
But how do you know?
How do you know if your health condition is a cold, flu, or lasting effects from COVID-19 infection? If you’re not sure how to get to the bottom of it, here’s how…
Brain Fog
You’ve probably heard of brain fog, but what does it really mean?
Basically, brain fog is all about mental difficulty. This can show up in a variety of ways, everything from confusion to concentration problems, memory lapses, and a general feeling of ‘dullness.’
But again, these symptoms can often be mistaken for other things. If you’re not sure if it’s from COVID, consider the timing. Long COVID typically happens just weeks after you’re infected. Not only that, but it can easily last for many months or longer.
If you notice other symptoms like dizziness, general fatigue, and headaches – speak to your doctor about long COVID.
RELATED: Tired Of Brain Fog? Here’s How To Clear Your Mind
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Nobody likes feeling bloated or sick to the stomach, but how do you know which is which? While it’s easy to think issues like diarrhea and nausea are related to other conditions – even food poisoning – you’re in luck.
The symptoms of gastrointestinal distress due to Long COVID are unique. Firstly, they usually persist for months, which is unlike food poisoning that only lasts days. Beyond that, you may also experience symptoms like body aches and even breathing difficulties. Finally, try to chart any recent COVID-19 infections so you know if there’s a temporal relationship.
Sleep Problems
You may not think of long COVID causing sleep disturbances, but it’s actually fairly common. People with the condition will often struggle with insomnia, restless sleep, and even excessive sleep problems. Related problems include feelings of anxiety, depression, and other primary sleep disorders.
Again, look to see if your issues started close to an infection. If stress, lifestyle factors, or other disorders aren’t related, it could be due to COVID-19. And finally, look out for chronic fatigue syndrome. This issue is not usually fixed by adequate rest, which is different from most sleep conditions.
Heart Palpitations
Ever feel like your heart is racing or doing funny things?
Do these odd sensations come with anxiety, severe dehydration, or other vascular issues? If you’ve been dealing with cardiovascular problems following a COVID infection, you’re not alone. In fact, these palpitations occur soon after infection, if they do occur.
Other symptoms to be on the lookout for are chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and feelings of dizziness. If you notice that your heart palpitations last for weeks and occur without any real exercise, it could certainly be related to COVID.
Sensory Sensitivities
Sensory sensitivity is nothing new. It can come from lights, sounds, and even touching things. In some cases, everything around you may simply feel like too much. That’s why it is easy to confuse these sensations. Some migraine sufferers or individuals with fibromyalgia may report similar feelings.
But here’s how you know if it’s Long COVID or not…
Do you still show other symptoms of the virus, like respiratory issues, or fatigue or aches? When it comes to Long COVID, the effects usually hit multiple sensory systems, which is usually not the case with fibromyalgia.
If usual pain and migraine medications don’t work, consider talking to your doctor about Long COVID. The condition will usually disrupt daily living quite significantly, so if you’re struggling with multi-sensory issues, don’t ignore it.
When all is said and done, Long COVID can be a challenging diagnosis. Fortunately, many treatment protocols can help. In fact, many of the treatment protocols also help individuals who had adverse reactions to the COVID vaccines.
So if you’re not feeling like yourself, aren’t responding to normal medications, and can’t figure out long-lasting health problems, don’t stress yourself sicker. Listen to your body, listen to your healthcare professionals, and stay consistent.
With some tweaks and changes, you’ll be able to fight off that lingering sickness sooner than later!
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