Article under that link does not say anything about whether people can help themselves or not. It just says most don't scream, because it is hard with throat full of water.

Quotes from the article:

> Drowning people cannot wave for help.

> drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements.

> Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water for 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs