steve, i have a great nephew who was in a "near" drowning. he was under the water from 15 - 20 minutes, so he was severely brain damaged. 
 seeing him, it is clear he was in discomfort - his muscles spasm.  sometimes tears just fall off his cheeks. 
  he has no quality of life. he is suspended, painfully,  between life and death and it is an open wound in the family.  after 10 years a few feel it was a miracle and others who feel it is an on-going tragedy. he is grown and harder to handle.
  my sister had called me to give us news and as she was so hopeful. i just tried to cry quietly. upshot is i ask god to let our baby pass all the way or give him some kind of comfort in life. the EMT's did no favor for anyone and they know it. mixed feelings. saving a life is usually good, but for this situation....to what end? 
SH: "It is the Parents who fight for their child, It is the Parents who suffer the most." so true. a different, difficult decision for every family- all options open...