Investigation showed that this did not actually happen in practice and so breaking a death grip is no longer emphasised in lifesaving. The actual behaviour of drowning people is more passive as they lack the oxygen to take violent action and an instinctive paddling reflex occurs.
The investigation showed that actually breaking a death grip is not crucial in lifesaving procedures anymore. Drowning victims typically exhibit more passive behavior, lacking the ability to take violent action and showing an involuntary paddling response instead.