Easy, friend.

[ She feels a bit bad for her remark when the poor boy is coughing up a lungful of water. She gives him a moment to catch his breath, one hand raised as if she means to pat him on the back – having just met him, however, she holds off. ]

I understand what you mean by being caught unawares. One moment I’m taking a nice stroll, the next I’m swimming in the bloody bay.