How quickly a person progresses from distress to drowning can vary based on what factor?

The progression from distress to drowning is influenced by a multitude of factors that can interact in complex ways, which is why the answer highlights "many circumstances." Each individual's situation in the water may be affected by various elements, including but not limited to their physical condition, mental state, the environment, and the specific circumstances of the incident.

For example, a person's energy level, panic response, and environmental factors like water current or visibility all play significant roles. The interaction between these factors can change how quickly someone transitions from being in distress to being in a state of drowning, making it essential to consider all these circumstances collectively rather than isolating them to one or two specific factors.

In contrast, while weather conditions, personal swimming ability, and water temperature certainly can impact a person's experience in the water, they are just individual components within the broader category of circumstances that ultimately dictate the speed of progression from distress to drowning.