Can you purposely drown if you know how to swim? Isn't it instinct to save yourself?

Question

I would think it's like holding your breath. You can't kill yourself by holding your breath because you will wind up inhaling on instinct. Is it the same thing with drowning?

I saw this in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, where a person drowns on purpose even though she knows how to swim, and think it's fake. What do you think?

Answer 1

Not purposely in the last seconds. Because your instincts will take over and find air. Probably you'll still drown but on the last seconds you were trying to save yourself but you can't because you lack air to think and to swim back to the surface..

Answer 2

If you really wanted to kill yourself you can drown yourself. It is a matter of just holding back those instincts.

Answer 3

I think people drown when they tire out. I'm sure that you can purposely drown. It's a matter of will.

Answer 4

I think you can drown purposely if you are swimming in the sea, and it happens that your leg suddenly cramms...Then...you can't move your leg completely...that way, you can't even swim...

Or maybe you ...don't feel like living(emo) and feels like drowning yourself... or "hates the world" then you would probably want to die

Answer 5

You can drown if you want to die enough. All you have to do is to walk out until the water is over your head and just let your self sink under the water yes you might want of fight it but if you really want to die you will stop fighting it.

Answer 6

the best of swimmers can drown... it's because they get tired, so if you get tired just floate and rest

Answer 7

My wife committed suicide in a reservoir, many years ago, she was a very strong swimmer, it is no fake.

Answer 8

Let me try that and i will get back to you