What is the primary instinctive behavior of drowning victims?

The primary instinctive behavior of drowning victims is characterized by the instinctive drowning response. This behavior involves specific actions that a person exhibits when they are struggling in the water. As a person begins to drown, their body reacts instinctively to stay afloat and attempt to breathe.

Victims typically exhibit behaviors such as moving their arms in a horizontal position, trying to push down to keep their head above water, and might have a distressed look on their face. This response is driven by the body's natural instinct to survive, emphasizing that the individual is focused on trying to breathe and stay afloat, and they often do not have the ability to call for help or wave for assistance. This can be critical information for rescuers, as the physical signs of drowning can be subtle and may not resemble the stereotypical image of someone splashing and calling out for help.

In contrast, other options such as choking, flailing, and submersion may occur during a drowning scenario but do not specifically define the primary instinctive actions that drowning victims display. The instinctive drowning response captures the essence of how a person reacts when they are in imminent danger of drowning and provides important insights for those performing rescues.