One time, when I was 5 years old, I went swimming in the sea, but I wanted to go further out, thinking I would be able to get back to the shore easily.
So I swam for a really long time, at least 20 minutes straight, and when I turned around, I couldn’t see anyone anymore. I realized I was extremely far away and started crying—all I could see were the shadows of people standing on the sand.
I stopped swimming and let the water carry me, but suddenly, I started sinking. I went underwater and tried to come back up, but I couldn’t. I kept going under, coming back up, over and over again—for at least a full minute.
Eventually, my whole body was in pain from struggling. I thought, "Well, whatever, I guess I’m dying," and I let myself sink, swallowing water. At that moment, I swear it didn’t hurt at all.
Anyway, next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital. Apparently, some guy on a boat had spotted me from a distance and came to rescue me pretty quickly.