1: Regarding the details of drowning, let it suffice to say that the human body is extremely unlikely to suffer long-term *or* significant damage (much less, both) in less than about 2 or 3 minutes under water. I don't think you care too much, so I won't go into details, but I lifeguarded a lot in my slightly-younger years, and modern first-aid training gives some surprisingly in-depth looks to the process of drowning.

2: I, too am greatly enjoying the image of Marius by the fireside with a handful of disbelieving tots.