I guess you could say that the pain would be lethal to endure.

Very x100

How can anyone really know except the one who drowned...and you can't very well ask them.

There have been first hand accounts from people who have drowned and then been revived. They describe a painful struggle to breath followed by a peacefull resignation to death. I guess the answer would be yes.

Drowning is death by suffocation. It doesn't sound like a pleasurable experience and sure sounds very painful to me. Have you ever accidentally swallowed "the wrong way" and choked. Gasping for air, coughing, chest burning. Think of that 100 times worse ... I'd say it is very painful. I hope I never find out!

I have actually heard once from a doctor on tv that when you give up, it's not painful at all.

I think that if you are struggling and then you stop,maybe you feel relief?Not relief to die but relief that the struggle is over.I have also heard it said that it was peacefull.I think the difficult part would be the giving up.Giving up on life,love and the simple pleasures of life.If you have known someone who has drowned I am sorry for your loss.

did you ever breathe in a bit of drink or your own saliva? it hurts like hell.

This consumes my thoughts after having lost my nine year old son. He drowned as his grandmother and aunt gossiped and left him and his younger siblings unattended. They had been warned the ice on the frozen pond they were playing on was too thin. Every day of my life I blame myself for not being there to rescue him, and I know in his last moments of life he had to have called for me. But I wasn't there. Some, perhaps out of discomfort, come up with some 'cute' answers. I assure you, your insensitivity only deepens my heart and trivializes his death. Please think of this before you write. To those of you that seek answers with heartfelt caring, I thank you. It shows me there are those out there who have human hearts and care. But I ask myself this question again and again. How much did my little boy suffer, and why couldn't it have been me and not him. My son, I've missed you every day and will continue to do so until we are together again. I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you needed me most. My heart shattered that day, and will never fully heal. Jesus, please keep him in your care, and don't deny those that love him from seeing and loving him again in heaven. A grieving Dad Your Dad.

I have read that it is painful. However, when the head is plunged into icy cold water, the brain shuts down rapidly. Some people have bitten into an ice cream cone and immediately lost their vision (for a while), because the optic nerve got chilled. So he might have gone unconscious before he started drowning. My sympathies for your loss.

It's true, how do u really know. U can't exactly ask the person themself. I feel as though it may be a struggle at first, followed by a very peaceful death. R.I.P brother-i love u

Its most likely like choking on something then you pass out never to breath again.

I felt i had to add to this page for a couple of reasons... This does not sound like a "medical question" in the use of language, it could be from a vunerable person. I would advise people if they are interested in finding out the answer to consult a medical person for their opinion. I'm sure no one here who add's to these boards would wish to influence a persons choice in taking their own life so please be responsible when subjects such as this arise maybe sometimes it's better to not answer than to add something that someone may interprut wrongly at a time when their mental state is unstable. And if for any reason you the reader come across this page thinking of suicide in any shape or form, please seek help & talk to someone about your feelings. This was written by a person who lost a dear friend to suicide. RIP Neil, rest in peace bud

omg who gives a flying fuck???????

what i've always heard is that it is painful up until the point that your lungs are full of water but once they are full of water and you are merely waiting on the lack of oxygen to get to you, it's very peaceful.

I've almost drown twice. First time I was canoeing and I got trapped under a bunch of logs. The current was so string that it held me down against the bottom even though I had a life jacket on. I had a very primal instinct to try and get out of the water. It wasn't fear in the sense that you think of it. It was more like an uncontrollable, panicked drive to get out of the water. I somehow ended up out of the water when I grabbed onto the legs of a friend who had partially gottn out already. The second time I almost drown was actually a breath holding contest. I wanted to see how long I could hold my breath. I was in a shallow pool. I went under and for a little bit there was indeed the pain you normally get when holding your breath. But I was resolved to hold out and I pushed myself to my limit. Suddenly the pain passed and I felt very peaceful. In fact I felt like I could have stayed under forever. Fortunately my logic kicked in and said "dude you are about to pass out". I've also passed out a few times in my life and that was indeed what was happening. So - from these two personal experiences, I can tell you that drowning is painful and scary at first - but you do get to a point where it's like instant morphine and you are very peaceful, almost hyper alert. That happens right before you pass out. If I could choose a death, drowning would probably be high up on my list.