Former paramedic here, I disagree as well.
Drowning is horrible, especially if you are in a situation where you realize, "Okay, this is it.".
Once you start to "breath" water because (untrained) you cannot suppress this reflex, it must be absolute terror.
Sure, it is quicker and not as terrible as other ways to go, but quicker isn't always better.
Trained, you can suppress this reflex and pass out before you know it.
Just watch combat divers/SEALs during training... happens all the time (being rescued then, of course, though).
If the story about the sailer saving 20 shipmates before dying himself is true, we have a textbook medal of honor candidate here. I despise the term "hero" as it is used so inflationary especially in combination with US military things, but this guy sure was one - if reports so far are accurate.
Hats off, really. Amazing.
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