How long does the complete drowning process typically take?

The complete drowning process typically takes seconds to minutes due to the body's physiological responses once submersion occurs. When a person begins to drown, the process is often rapid, with the loss of consciousness occurring within a few minutes due to hypoxia, or lack of oxygen.

As the lungs fill with water, the body’s reflexes, such as struggling and gasping for air, can also occur, exacerbating the situation and leading to increased water intake. The critical timeframe for survival is very short; brain damage can begin within four to six minutes without oxygen, and irreversible damage may occur shortly after, emphasizing the urgency of prompt rescue and resuscitation efforts.

In contrast, the other options suggest much longer time frames that do not align with the immediate and critical nature of drowning situations, where every second counts and vital interventions are needed to prevent fatal outcomes.