These are the symptoms to look out for:
- Difficulty breathing or speaking
- Unusually fast breathing
- The chest appearing sucked in
- Poor coloring in the skin
- Irritability or unusual behavior
- Coughing persistently
- Complaints about chest pain
- Throwing up
- Having low energy or showing signs of sleepiness after being submerged
Bear in mind that the severity of the effects will vary depending on how bad the spasms are. Younger children might not be able to express how they’re feeling so doctors suggest being cautious even if only a couple of the symptoms are present.
What To Do If You Suspect Dry Drowning
If your child was submerged underwater, it’s important to check them out immediately. During the assessment look for any of the symptoms stated earlier and keep an eye on them for the rest of the day.
Once there is a reason for concern, you’ll need to take your child to the doctor. At that point, the doctor will check your child’s vital signs and do a thorough examination.
In most cases, there will be nothing to worry about and your child will be released. Should there be signs of dry drowning or secondary drowning, however, the doctor may order a chest X-ray to confirm the presence of water in the lungs. Your child will be treated accordingly if water is found.
For children who have significant trouble breathing on their own, they may need intubation or the help of a ventilator. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if there is any risk of infection.
Since it’s not always easy to pick up on when a child is in distress, the best thing you can do is remain vigilant. Children who can’t swim should be given floatation devices and watched closely.
Even if your child can swim, it’s a good thing to keep an eye on them at all times. To make this responsibility more manageable, it helps to split up the duties among all the adults that are present.