Life Experience: I Almost Drowned
I was been about 11 years old. It was a Sunday early afternoon. We lived walking distance from the beach so my mom and other family members decided to a Sunday lunch on the beach.
My one cousin and I (along with many other people unknown to me) were swimming and just having the usual good time, when suddenly what seems to have been a freak wave, rose very high above everyone and just "swallowed" us all in!
I was lucky enough to be able to take a huge breathe before going under. I tried swimming to shore, but the current was too strong and started pulling us deeper in. I reached a point where I gave up and just stopped trying. I remember thinking to myself "I am going to die here today".
Then I felt the current pull ease up and I mentally kicked myself into gear and decided "No way.. I cant go out like this" then started trying to swim out again... issue was I already lost sense of direction, but I was aware that as far as I could recall, I did change direction and just took a chance and swam in the same direction I was facing... all the while I am still underwater.
My chest was burning though as I needed air so made my way to the surface. Once I reached the surface I discovered that I was in fact swimming in the right direction, however I was all the way on the other side of from where we started swimming. And I was not alone.
When I eventually reached the shore I immediately started looking for my cousin. I found him standing with other family members, trying to spot me in the water. I called out as I approached and they were visibly relieved to see me.
I then learned that 3 people actually drowned that day, but they survived after lifeguards got them out and tended to them.
To this day I do not trust swimming in open sea water. I stick to swimming pools now lol.
My one cousin and I (along with many other people unknown to me) were swimming and just having the usual good time, when suddenly what seems to have been a freak wave, rose very high above everyone and just "swallowed" us all in!
I was lucky enough to be able to take a huge breathe before going under. I tried swimming to shore, but the current was too strong and started pulling us deeper in. I reached a point where I gave up and just stopped trying. I remember thinking to myself "I am going to die here today".
Then I felt the current pull ease up and I mentally kicked myself into gear and decided "No way.. I cant go out like this" then started trying to swim out again... issue was I already lost sense of direction, but I was aware that as far as I could recall, I did change direction and just took a chance and swam in the same direction I was facing... all the while I am still underwater.
My chest was burning though as I needed air so made my way to the surface. Once I reached the surface I discovered that I was in fact swimming in the right direction, however I was all the way on the other side of from where we started swimming. And I was not alone.
When I eventually reached the shore I immediately started looking for my cousin. I found him standing with other family members, trying to spot me in the water. I called out as I approached and they were visibly relieved to see me.
I then learned that 3 people actually drowned that day, but they survived after lifeguards got them out and tended to them.
To this day I do not trust swimming in open sea water. I stick to swimming pools now lol.
