Which of the following is considered a common aquatic emergency?

Drowning is considered a common aquatic emergency because it can occur swiftly and silently in any body of water, including pools, lakes, and oceans. It is a serious event where an individual is unable to breathe due to submersion in water, leading to asphyxiation and potentially resulting in death or serious injury if not addressed immediately. The nature of water activities often puts individuals at risk, especially those who may lack swimming skills or are in uncontrolled environments.

In contrast, while sunburn, foot cramps, and allergic reactions can happen in aquatic settings, they do not pose the same immediate life-threatening risk associated with drowning. Sunburn results from prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays, foot cramps can occur due to dehydration or overexertion, and allergic reactions typically require time to develop and may not be directly tied to the act of being in the water. While these issues warrant attention, they do not represent emergencies to the same critical extent as drowning does.