What is the medical term for when a person is submerged in water and cannot breathe?

The term that accurately describes a situation where a person is submerged in water and cannot breathe is "drowning." This term specifically refers to the process of experiencing respiratory impairment due to submersion in liquid, typically water. Drowning can result in a variety of outcomes, including death or respiratory failure, depending on the duration of submersion and the circumstances surrounding the event.

The other terms have specific meanings in medical contexts. "Near drowning" refers to situations where a person has survived after being submerged, often leading to complications such as respiratory distress or pulmonary injury even if they ultimately recover. "Asphyxia" is a broader term that refers to a condition resulting from insufficient oxygen reaching the body's tissues and can occur due to various causes beyond drowning, such as choking or suffocation. "Submersion incident" is not a commonly used medical term and does not convey the specifics of the underlying process of drowning itself.

Thus, the most precise medical term for the scenario described is drowning, as it encompasses the critical aspects of the event involving respiratory impairment from submersion in water.