Distressed swimmer or distressed non-swimmer (DNS) is a term used by the Life Saving Society of Canada to describe a particular swimming victim type.
This group also includes swimmers who become disoriented after playing in or falling into the water.
Unless they are rescued, distressed swimmers can become drowning victims.
[1] The acronym "DNS" is a commonly used term within the Canadian Lifesaving Society to expedite the process of describing a victim.
This is particularly useful in emergency situations where time is of the essence, and where the phrase "distressed non-swimmer" would be difficult to say.