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· 03 Mar 2022

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What to watch for dry drowning

Summer is here finally and so is the need to spend a lot of time in the water be it at the beach or in a pool. Water helps to eradicate heat and it is a lot of fun but it is important to keep water safety in mind while you are having a time of your life. Recently a lot of incidents of dry drowning have been on the news and it is crucial to know what dry drowning is and what to do if you face the situation especially if you have kids.

Difference between dry drowning and secondary drowning

It is important to know that drowning is the second leading cause of death among children whereas dry drowning and secondary drowning are extremely rare. It can happen to both adults and children and it occurs after a near-drowning incident.

Dry drowning is when water is taken in and causes muscle spasms in the airway leading to a blockage of airflow. Secondary drowning is when water enters the lungs and irritates the lungs that leading to filling it with fluid, this is also called pulmonary edema and it makes it difficult to breathe. A lot of doctors do not believe in dry drowning, they simply put it under the umbrella of drowning.

Symptoms of dry drowning and secondary drowning

Dry drowning shows its effect right after a drowning incident whereas secondary drowning symptoms are seen after one to 24 hours when the eater reaches the lungs. Some of the major symptoms are coughing, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and lethargy. You might also see a behavior change in the childlike irritability and a drop in energy levels. This might mean that the brain is not getting sufficient oxygen.

Ways to prevent dry drowning or secondary drowning

Although it is very rare there are things you can watch for to prevent dry drowning or secondary drowning.

• Teach children about water safety, teach them to float and swim to start with
  
• Do not let children or adults that cannot swim in water without proper flotation devices.
• Children under 12 years of age should always wear a life jacket if on a boat
  
• Don’t let children unattended when in water
• All parents should learn CPR
  
• Always have someone with you when swimming
• Pay attention to the weather and the surroundings
  
• Pay close attention to swimming hazards before entering the water body
• Keep an eye on the child when they are in or around water
  
• Make sure that a lifeguard is around when going into the water
  Don’t let children swim alone
  

• Never leave a baby alone near any amount of water inside your home or outside.
• Take water safety classes for yourself and your kids. There are programs for children from 6 months to 3 years of age that you can look into
• Keep your pool fenced at all times
• Teach your kids about drugs and how they can put them at risk of drowning.
  

• Never let your guard down, even if the water is not deep. Children can drown in bathtubs, toilets, ponds, or even in a plastic pool

• Learn the warning signs as the symptoms will most likely follow a near-drowning event.
• Keep a close eye on the child after a near-drowning incident to see the symptoms.
• If you see any of the symptoms, contact the child’s pediatrician and follow their advice.
• If the child is having difficulty breathing after being out of the water, get help. Most of these problems will go away on their own but it is important to get the child checked out.
• Most of these problems that occur after near-drowning are treatable but if they get worse take your child to the emergency room immediately instead of going to a doctor.
• Your child will be asked to get a chest X-ray, an IV and might be admitted for observation. His oxygen level will be monitored and airways will be checked and might need a breathing tube if the problem is severe.