“Chinese water torture” is actually something of a misnomer, since the practice actually has nothing to do with China. This process is repeated until the victim completely submits.

This momentary relief is just a mirage, meant to break them psychologically, as they go right back to drowning again.

The worst part though, is the in-between moments of alleviation for the victim, when the water stops pouring. This gives the poor victim the unpleasant sensation of being underwater and drowning ever so slowly. When they are nice and secure, the torturer proceeds to pour water directly onto the face, in intervals. Afterwards, a cloth is placed over their eyes, nose and mouth. Waterboarding involves strapping somebody to a table on their back, causing them to become immobile. Far too many, in fact, dismissed it as a possible form of torture by scoffing, “it’s just water.” We heard the term so much in recent years, yet many never really knew what it entailed. Strongly associated with the Bush and Cheney years, waterboarding has actually been around since 16th century Europe.

Water torture cell