What response is characterized by a victim withdrawing from the situation?

The response characterized by a victim withdrawing from the situation is best identified as counter panic. This term describes a situation in which an individual, in a water-related emergency, may appear to be calm on the surface but is actually attempting to cope with overwhelming fear or anxiety. During counter panic, victims may try to conserve energy or refrain from excessive movements, leading them to appear withdrawn. This behavior can manifest as a focus on surviving and coping rather than making uncoordinated or frantic movements often seen in panic scenarios.

In contrast, the other responses depict different behaviors. Panic, for example, usually involves frantic and uncontrolled actions as the victim struggles against their circumstances, while the instinctive drowning response describes specific automatic behaviors exhibited by someone who is drowning, such as the inability to call for help or wave. Normal survival behavior typically includes actions that indicate an awareness of the need to stay afloat but does not highlight the element of withdrawal seen in counter panic.