Question: how much water do you need to drown?
Answer: It takes less than 1/2 a cup of water in your lungs to drown. It's hard to believe but it only takes less than half a cup of water in your lungs to drown. You can drown in a bucket of water, standing water on top of a pool or spa cover, and any amount of water that covers the mouth and nose, according to YMCA.