text: I've almost drowned twice, and it is definitely no like being let free. On the other hand, it isn't agony either. It's more like pure terror. You fight to get to the surface, or get out from under something which is what happened in both of my cases. Your head starts pounding and your vision starts fading. It doesn't really hurt, it's just like holding your breath for too long, then u take a breath and water fills your lungs. When you break the surface though, it's like being re-born. That first breath is amazing and is the best feeling in the world. So yea, drowning is more terror than anything.