The Peconic Puffin

"There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. "

So how do you know someone is in trouble?   We waterpeople need to stay on top of this.  We aren't doing our thing in swimming pools or public beaches with lifeguards keeping an eye on us.  We depend on ourselves and each other.   When someone is down in the water…no matter how good a sailor or surfer we know them to be…we need to be mindful of this.    What are the signs?  All of this from an excellent article on what to look for:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs—vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder

Read Slate's article yourself:  Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning.