Define the term “active drowning.”

Active drowning refers to a situation where a person is struggling in the water and unable to keep their head above water. In this state, the person is typically upright, may be thrashing about, and is unable to call out for help due to the physical struggle to breathe. This critical behavior can happen very quickly and is often misinterpreted by bystanders as playfulness or normal swimming activity.

In contrast, the other scenarios described do not represent active drowning. Floating calmly or swimming without distress indicates that the individual has control over their buoyancy and breathing. Similarly, a person waiting for help at the edge of the pool is not in distress and is not exhibiting the clear signs of struggle that characterize active drowning. Understanding the indicators of active drowning is crucial for lifeguards and caregivers to effectively identify and respond to emergencies in the water.