Almost drowned.

[Kurai]

Well the other night while out camping, I decided to head down to the lake for a little night time swim. My friend did not want to come with me, so I decided fuck the fuckers and I will go by myself. I was swimming in about five-six feet of water. I dunno why but I just wanted to go into the deep end of the swimming area. So after about ten mins of just light swimming, nothing so serious. Both of my legs cramped up on me so bad, that I have never had a leg cramp this bad, make it worst it's in both legs. I was already short on breath due to doing a small dive, right when both my legs cramped I pretty much yelled out the rest of my air due to the pain.

Instead of keeping my cool and just try to float, I pretty much just start splashing like crazy, instead of staying up. I pretty much started to sink. Seconds seemed like hours to me and knowing I was at least half a mile away from the nearest camp spot. I pretty much just thought of my family and all that stuff. Next thing I know I hear some splashing as it sounded like some one swimming.

After a few seconds of hearing some splashing, I felt some one grabbing me and helping me stay afloat. Then another set of hands I could feel on me. I ended up being saved by two drunk college students who wanted to go for a swim.

So if it wasn't for those two, I am highly sure I would not be here right now.

Lessons Learned.

Don't swim at night.
Don't go swimming by myself.
Stretch like no tomorrow when I swim, specially due to the fact my legs cramp a lot.
If no one is around while swimming, try to stay in a very shallow end, maybe just sit on my ass in the water and cool off that way.
Don't panic, if I did not panic I could of probably just held my breath, floated on my back and just hand paddle my way to shore.

Any one else ever came close to drowning, would like to hear your stories and the lessons you learned from it.

[SlobberToofTigger]

Glad to hear that you are ok and that beer and college students are still useful... grin.

I have not drowned myself but I have seen someone getting ready to drown. I took my neighbor out on my boat with my wife and a few friends. She is very athletic and appears to be in great shape. As I am the captain of my boat I keep a close eye on everyone around me and I see her jump in the water and swim with the current away from the boat. We were at the end of a small island with the tide going out and the current can get pretty fast. So I keep checking on here every minute or so and see her turn around and start back toward the boat. Her progress towards the boat gets slower and slower and the current starts to hold her back and about twenty feet from the boat she is standing still. She is swimming very fast but the current is holding her in one place. Admittedly she could have swam to either side and gotten out of the current and been fine but it would seem that that option did not occur to her and she is getting lower in the water and starting to sink. I quickly pull out my emergency line attach it to a life rung and throw it to her. She latched on to that float like it was the end of the world and I pulled her in. She said thank you and has never gotten off my boat in deep water since. In short she broke one of the major rules of swimming in open water. Always swim against the current when swimming away from your boat so that you can ride it back when you are tired. Of course don't panic is in there as well.

Story 2.
I was out testing some modifications I made to my boat on a rather poor boating day. We had about 15 knot winds 3 foot choppy swells and it was bright sun but cool. My modifications were not working well but since it was one of those sappy holidays I was making it a fun trip with a stop at a local restaurant. On the way home I noticed that there was not another boat anywhere to be seen nor had we seen any boaters on the way out. About five miles into our trip home I saw a person standing on the water waving a life vest. I changed course to approach the person and found it to be a john boat with 3 adults, two children and an infant that was completely submerged. They had one life jacket for all five of them and were in a bad spot. After a bit work trying to get them on board and warmed up we got them back to safety and even saved their boat. It is reasonable that some of them would have survived the two mile swim to shore but I do not think any of the children would have made it. Lessons from this one is do not overload your boat, go out without enough life jackets, go out on a day beyond the abilities of your boat, or allow morons to breed.

[Shinhao]

In short she broke one of the major rules of swimming in open water. Always swim against the current when swimming away from your boat so that you can ride it back when you are tired. Of course don't panic is in there as well.

Good to know...never been swimming in open water before. Learned something new.

[basm]

I get those charlie horses too. And you are right, they will seriously fuck you up. So if you were in the water and that happened in both legs, plus you were already tired, I totally get why you lost your control. It's a very good thing someone got to you.

I read a story recently about a kid that drowned with leg cramps. He was young, very strong, but he cramped up and could not keep himself from sinking. Found the article: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=16174951 So very sad.

I have also had drowning and near-drowning events in my life that have given me an awe, respect, fear, of water. I am not scared of water (well, I have a healthy fear of the sea I think) but I will not go out in it unless someone has an eye on me and I know it.

It does not matter how strong you are or how good a swimmer, either. Strong, healthy swimmers can still drown with muscle cramps. When you think about it, we are taught to respect water, because it will never respect you.

My lessons I've learned:
Make sure people know I'm out there.
Don't go out so damn far unless I take a floaty thing.
Don't go out alone.
Don't go out tired, dehydrated, or after drinking booze.
Watch and feel the current.
And of course, stretch first.
And probably doesn't hurt to have a banana and a glass of milk that morning, either.

Thanks for sharing your story.

[MonsterZero]

When I was a kid, we were at a local beach that opened onto a brackish river right next to the ocean. This was a small beach, with a roped off area for swimming. I couldn't swim, so I stuck to my boogie board and stayed in shallow water. That day, there was a little girl in an inner tube right against the ropes. I decided, 'I want to go talk to her.' So I paddled my board out, but before I could start a conversation, somehow I got knocked off my board and couldn't get back on. The waves kept dunking me under as I was trying to get back onto the foam. The girl just looked at me. What I remember most clearly was, one of the times I went under, I was thinking clearly enough to read the big orange, white, and black sticker on the bottom of my board that said 'WARNING: THIS IS NOT A LIFE-SAVING DEVICE.' I ended up yelling for help and being pulled back to shore, but it's kind of stuck with me and is one of several reasons I don't swim in anything bigger than a small pond.

Lessons learned: Know your limits, and chicks are always trouble.

[fattycakes]

Earlier this summer I too almost drowned, or so it seemed. I was at heron lake in northern New Mexico during labor day. The lake was pretty cold, you could see snow on the mountains north of the lake. There is a part of the lake near the dam where you can jump off of the cliffs. You can see in the picture, to the far left is where you jump. The lake is at an all time low so If I had to guess i would say maybe 75 feet. I was tired from bike riding earlier in the day and was also feeling the effects of having just gotten over a cold. I had jumped off the cliffs last year and decided to do it again. I remembered as I was falling thinking to myself "wow I don't remember falling this far last year."

I hit the water and was in shock from the cold. It was soooo cold. I came up for air and yelled. I couldn't believe how cold it was. All I could think was to get to where I could climb out. I started swimming the 50 or so yards to where I could climb out but I felt like I couldn't breath. I later learned that the cold water had made my lungs contract causing shortness of breath. I basically panicked. I found a place on the side of the cliff where I could hold on and started to pull myself through the water to where I could climb out. Then there where no more places to hold on to so i was stuck. there was a boat not far off and I yelled to them that I needed help. They made swimming motions at me and laughed. I yelled at my girlfriend that I thought I was in trouble and needed help. luckily someone threw me a tube and another guy actually jumped in to assist me. Someone I didn't even know. I used the tube to swim back to where I could climb out.

I know now that if I had not panicked and just floated on my back I could have eventually made it to where I could have climbed out. I panicked though and luckily there were people there to help me. I am not sure if I would have drowned or not but sometimes before I go to bed I envision myself standing over that cliff getting ready to jump and it sends shivers through me. I learned a few things, mainly to not panic, that no one has to save you and most people wont and that cold water presents its own set of challenges when swimming. I am going to do it again next year but this time I will be prepared.

almost forgot. Once when I was 9 i was in the middle of a lake in a little dingy. I was actually only about 40 feet from shore. I thought about all those times in the movies when someone jumps off their boat in the bahamas into the cool blue water and decided to take a dip. I jumped out of my little tiny 2 man dinghy and into the water. I didn't have a life jacket on. The wind kicked up and started taking my dinghy away from me. I couldn't catch it. Eventually i was saved by some guys on a boat. BIG Time lesson learned. Always wear a life jacket.

[KentsOkay]

Lessons learned: Know your limits, and chicks are always trouble.

Soo very true


Me and almost drowning go together like Thelma and Louise. When I was like two walked into a lake at a wedding, bride yanked me out. When I was 5 ish I exceeded my limits and flailed in 5ft of water. My dad just kinda slipped in and pushed me to the wall
There is at least one other instance, but I can't think of it, I believe it involved an ocean and a really big wave. The embarrassment of not being able to swim in 5 ft of water made me determined to learn how to swim, within months I was decent enough that I could get myself out of trouble in pools. Soon, I came to enjoy the silence of the deep, and I started getting ear infections

Now I love the water, but I get all pissy when there is water in my ear.

[prtp3warrior]

That is the thing about cramps in the water. By the time you realize that you have it, you are debilitated completely. Down you go. One chance to call for help. I am a strong swimmer and a whitewater guide. I will not go into water over my head without some type of at least minimal flotation. I have nearly drowned from leg cramps once....never again.

[EmbraceTheHate]

I think you just need to learn how to swim. I can swim without my legs......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AwPhuch]

Well the other night while out camping, I decided to head down to the lake for a little night time swim. My friend did not want to come with me, so I decided fuck the fuckers and I will go by myself. I was swimming in about five-six feet of water. I dunno why but I just wanted to go into the deep end of the swimming area. So after about ten mins of just light swimming, nothing so serious. Both of my legs cramped up on me so bad, that I have never had a leg cramp this bad, make it worst it's in both legs. I was already short on breath due to doing a small dive, right when both my legs cramped I pretty much yelled out the rest of my air due to the pain.

Instead of keeping my cool and just try to float, I pretty much just start splashing like crazy, instead of staying up. I pretty much started to sink. Seconds seemed like hours to me and knowing I was at least half a mile away from the nearest camp spot. I pretty much just thought of my family and all that stuff. Next thing I know I hear some splashing as it sounded like some one swimming.

After a few seconds of hearing some splashing, I felt some one grabbing me and helping me stay afloat. Then another set of hands I could feel on me. I ended up being saved by two drunk college students who wanted to go for a swim.

So if it wasn't for those two, I am highly sure I would not be here right now.

Lessons Learned.

Don't swim at night.
Don't go swimming by myself.
Stretch like no tomorrow when I swim, specially due to the fact my legs cramp a lot.
If no one is around while swimming, try to stay in a very shallow end, maybe just sit on my ass in the water and cool off that way.
Don't panic, if I did not panic I could of probably just held my breath, floated on my back and just hand paddle my way to shore.

Any one else ever came close to drowning, would like to hear your stories and the lessons you learned from it.

No offense bro...those lessons have already been learned...

A smart man learns from his mistakes, a WISE man learns from others

[duodecima]

I think you just need to learn how to swim. I can swim without my legs......

Yes, good techniques save you a ton of energy, and like any other skill practicing a couple hundred solid hours to put them into muscle memory so you don't loose them when you panic is good. But even a good, strong swimmer will eventually tire (or their arms will cramp too...), cold water really does try to kill you if you're not dressed for it, and current is always stronger than it looks. Even if you're an ironman triathlete, the lessons in this thread are still good.

A smart man learns from his mistakes, a WISE man learns from others

Bro, that is so true, and why the OP started this thread...

(stupid grammar edit)

[Gyrfalcon]

I think you just need to learn how to swim. I can swim without my legs......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm a very good swimmer. I thought people were being melodramatic when they talked about cramping up and being unable to swim. Then one day, I was treated to that brand of cramp. I discovered that the people reporting such cramps were not, in fact, being melodramatic. It's as good as being paralyzed. You will not be able to swim or even tread water.

[Jeriah]

No matter how bad the cramps, you should be able to go limp, hold your breath, and float to the surface. Just spread out, like you're on the autopsy table, and you should float easily. Breathe normally until the cramps subside, then paddle in. I know, easier said than done, but practice it at your local pool (with a lifeguard) for a while and it becomes easy.

[Chirpy]

Scuba Qualification, Blue Hole, Huntsville, Texas.

Blue hole is an old gypsum mine, that once the sheetrock makings are stirred up, you can't see past the end of your arm. There are platforms about 22' down, which is where you sit so the instructors can find you and run you through the drills.

We're doing the buddy breathing. My buddy proceeds to hand me back my regulator. Upside down. Regulators don't work upside down. There's a valve that makes sure they don't. Instructor doesn't see until it's too late, and my buddy has already been hogging the air, so I'm kinda anxious for a breath. As I put the mouthpiece in, I notice it kinda feels funny, and as I get ready to take a hit of air I see the instructor reaching for my regulator.

WTF! I suck in a mouthfull of cold water. I start coughing, and of course the upside down regulator flies out of my mouth. I'm now coughing and breathing in more water. A regulator, right side up is jammed into my mouth. I grab it (and the hand on it) and press it to my mouth as I continue to cough, now through the regulator which means I'm at least getting air on the intake. I continue this as I cough out all the water. After what seems like hours, I open my eyes, loosen my grip, allowing my instructor to have his hand back. I'm still holding his spare regulator though. I fish mine out of the water, and switch. He then motions me up. Up we go. As we get to the top he asks if I'm okay, and that I scared him. I admit I scared myself. He then comments that he guesses he should pass me. I agree.

[KnightoftheRoc]

As a teenager (many, many eons past), I had a period of time when I was having bronchitis attacks- serious coughing fits from out of nowhere that left me gasping for air, and that's on land. One summer day, I was swimming across the creek with with some others, and at about the halfway point, I had an attack hit me. I've never been a strong surface swimmer, but I can give Flipper a run for his money underwater, so long as I can get back up for air. I also float as well as a brick.

Realizing the air in my lungs wasn't doing me any benefit for staying up, I started swimming underwater, porpoising my way across the rest of the water- it seemed closer than going back. Once they realized there was a problem, my submerging scared the bejeezus out of the others, but I kept coming up- coughing, gagging, and gasping. Obviously, I didn't die, but I did need a ride back in a boat.

I still have no fear of the water, but having come close once, and not wishing to do so again, I own a flotation vest, and it goes where I do if swimming is involved. Since hurting my back, it's quite therapeutic, as well- I can float in the vest as long as I want, with zero pressure on the herniated disks. And cool off while I'm at it!

[SlobberToofTigger]

No matter how bad the cramps, you should be able to go limp, hold your breath, and float to the surface. Just spread out, like you're on the autopsy table, and you should float easily. Breathe normally until the cramps subside, then paddle in. I know, easier said than done, but practice it at your local pool (with a lifeguard) for a while and it becomes easy.

You are assuming the OP floats. Some folks, myself included, have such low body fat that we don't float, or at least not on top of the water...

[SlobberToofTigger]

Scuba Qualification, Blue Hole, Huntsville, Texas.

We're doing the buddy breathing. My buddy proceeds to hand me back my regulator. Upside down.

I have a feeling that anyone who has learned to dive has al least one entertaining story. Grin. I was doing deep and cavern (they combined the class because we had access to a spring with a tube that went 90' down and then had a tube that came straight back up) and for the first time I had a partner that was as well equipped and of a same mind as myself (usually I get paired with the class moron because I am on top of my stuff). So we are getting ready to go down the tube and some idiot jumps in between us. My buddy and I signal to each other and the morons buddy and we go down as an extended group of four. At around 6o feet Mr moron wraps a line around his gear and starts to panic. Same issue you had with the water now being murky from the glop he kicked up while panicking. So I pin his body and my buddy unwraps his equipment. Then we lead him through the remainder of the tub down to 90' and bring him back up. He did not pass the class...

[Jeriah]

No matter how bad the cramps, you should be able to go limp, hold your breath, and float to the surface. Just spread out, like you're on the autopsy table, and you should float easily. Breathe normally until the cramps subside, then paddle in. I know, easier said than done, but practice it at your local pool (with a lifeguard) for a while and it becomes easy.

You are assuming the OP floats. Some folks, myself included, have such low body fat that we don't float, or at least not on top of the water...

I had no idea that was possible. My apologies for being presumptuous. Question: So, if you lie flat on your back, arms and legs spread, in fresh water, you SINK? Like you can't just lay there with if nothing else at least your mouth sticking out of the water?

Sounds annoying but beats the alternative (too much body fat).

[SlobberToofTigger]

No matter how bad the cramps, you should be able to go limp, hold your breath, and float to the surface. Just spread out, like you're on the autopsy table, and you should float easily. Breathe normally until the cramps subside, then paddle in. I know, easier said than done, but practice it at your local pool (with a lifeguard) for a while and it becomes easy.

You are assuming the OP floats. Some folks, myself included, have such low body fat that we don't float, or at least not on top of the water...

I had no idea that was possible. My apologies for being presumptuous. Question: So, if you lie flat on your back, arms and legs spread, in fresh water, you SINK? Like you can't just lay there with if nothing else at least your mouth sticking out of the water?

Sounds annoying but beats the alternative (too much body fat).

Forget fresh water, in salt water I float about a foot under... And it is annoying. I see all these other folks who can effortlessly float in the water and I sink. I have had multiple red cross life saving / swim instructors claim they can get me to float. And all of them have eventually come to the same conclusion. When I float I need a straw. Grin.

[GentryMillMan]

Forget fresh water, in salt water I float about a foot under... And it is annoying. I see all these other folks who can effortlessly float in the water and I sink. I have had multiple red cross life saving / swim instructors claim they can get me to float. And all of them have eventually come to the same conclusion. When I float I need a straw. Grin.

I have this same issue, and like you multiple people say "I can get you to float." after a little bit of time laying in the water and them putting their arm under to give a little bit of lift they start saying things like "Is that as far as you can breathe in?" lol

good to know I'm not the only one

[Collie of Doom]

Most people can float. But there are some who simply don't. You should learn how to, if you can.

[duodecima]

Forget fresh water, in salt water I float about a foot under... And it is annoying. I see all these other folks who can effortlessly float in the water and I sink. I have had multiple red cross life saving / swim instructors claim they can get me to float. And all of them have eventually come to the same conclusion. When I float I need a straw. Grin.

I have this same issue, and like you multiple people say "I can get you to float." after a little bit of time laying in the water and them putting their arm under to give a little bit of lift they start saying things like "Is that as far as you can breathe in?" lol

good to know I'm not the only one

Nah, my husband is like that too, darn athletic skinny guy. Which is why, even tho he's far stronger and in better shape, I'm in charge of water rescues if needed.

[dallas]

I am 6"0' and 170 pounds with big bones and low fat. I float like a rock in salt or fresh. I might float in the dead sea or salt lake.

Fat content is what floats. Muscle and bone sink.

[squinty]

Air also floats. I used to have very low body fat (no longer a problem. I got big and squishy.) I could still float by arching my backand raising my face and chest out of the water, as long as I didn't fully exhale. Keeping my lungs about 1/3 more full than I would during a normal exhalation, I was buoyant. Exhale fully and I'd start to sink.

Keeping calm and regulating your breathing can help if you're buoyancy challenged.