Terrifying Drowning Simulation Lets You 'Experience What It Feels Like to Drown

As spring heats up into summer and those lucky enough to have boats bring them out for the season, a marine clothing maker has put together an interactive tool to show why it's so important to wear a life jacket.

Guy Cotten, the "foul weather" and safety clothing brand, created "A Trip Out to Sea," which is an online simulator that shows just a fraction of the terror of what it would be like to drown.

The simulator tells a story of two men sailing when one of them -- the one whose point of view the user shares, making them feel like they are this character -- is knocked off the boat, while an inexperienced sailor is left on board, unable to circle back to save this person.

Image source: YouTube

"[It] makes people sense and experience what it feels like to drown, in the hope of making life jackets a natural reflex," the teaser video for the simulator read.

Watch this teaser for the simulator (Content warning: strong language):

Guy Cotten's website for the simulation, which also includes some strong language, requires the user to scroll without stopping in order to keep their character above the surface of the water.

"Scrolling continuously, however, is physically and psychologically exhausting. Quickly, tired of scrolling, you give up and drown, revealing the following message: At sea, you tire faster than you think," the description states.

The clothing manufacturer pointed out that many people choose not to wear a life jacket, thinking they don't need one because they know how to swim.

"No matter, whether you merely enjoy water activities, are a boating enthusiast or a genuine professional, in the case of an accident, the chances of surviving without a life jacket are unlikely," Guy Cotten said in its video description.

Test out the simulator for yourself on Guy Cotten's website (it does take a moment for the page to load).

(H/T: Gizmodo)