There I was, piggybacking my sister in the pool when suddenly I stepped off into the deep end and panicked. The weight of her pushed my head under the water. Suddenly she wasn’t there, but I was choking on water. Hopefully, you have never had to experience that. But sometimes the signs of drowning are not always as obvious as someone choking on water and yelling for help, and can even occur outside of the water.
What is Dry Drowning?
Dry drowning usually occurs immediately after exiting the water. It occurs when water enters the airway and causes the muscles to spasm, which prevents air from reaching the lungs. Dry drowning can happen to adults and children. If you or your child has a near drowning experience in the water, this is something that would occur immediately after exiting the water.
What is Secondary Drowning?
Secondary drowning can occur 24 hours or even longer after being out of the water. It occurs when water is inhaled and there is a fluid buildup in the lungs, keeping oxygen from circulating through the lungs and body. Secondary drowning seems to occur more in children because of their small bodies. However, just as dry drowning, it can occur in adults.
Warnings Signs
The warning signs for secondary and dry drowning are the same. Be on the lookout for trouble breathing, coughing, vomiting and chest pain. If you notice any unusual behavior such as sleepiness or irritability or any behavior that is not common for your child, you may need to take them to the doctor.
More on Warning Signs
A persistent cough may be indicative of an issue. If you can see between your child’s ribs or the gap above their collarbone, this may mean they are having trouble breathing. Vomiting may be a sign of stress or inflammation, especially when accompanied with coughing, according to Parents magazine. If you ever have to pull your child out of the water, you may need to be on the lookout for any of these signs.
Treatment
If any of these warning signs have come to your attention, you should immediately go to your local hospital. While sometimes symptoms may be mild and can improve; they may also become worse, and the hospital can do more to treat. The doctor will check their airways and x rays and measures such as IV and breathing tubes may be made as needed. Your child will be monitored until the doctor feels like they are improving, according to WebMd.
Prevention
Teaching your child about water safety plays a key role in preventing drowning. Be sure to always watch your children closely, most deaths from dry and secondary drowning are from unsupervised swimming. Be sure to educate your teens on the dangers of drinking and swimming. Have your children wear life vests or some sort of flotation device to prevent them from going under and inhaling water.
While this article may have some frightening information, it is not meant to discourage you from taking a nice swim. Remember some things can not always be prevented. Be aware that this article is only meant to be informative and in no way a diagnosis or means to bypass medical care. Be sure to seek medical attention always.
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Sources: [American Osteopathic Association, WebMd, Parents, DailyMail, Popular Science]
