*breathes shallowly, painfully, and does not open his eyes, some involuntary defense mechanism in his mind preventing him from fighting for consciousness (let me die in peace) because it simply will not stand for (drowning) being hurt any more*
*shivers again, even though he has surfaced from the dark and dank, because of course he is still soaked (drowning?) and perhaps because the relative warmth is reminding him what it means to be so cold*