When you think about taking your kids swimming, a checklist of must-haves usually comes to mind - sunscreen, towels, goggles, and flotation devices are the typical items. The one thing you might not be thinking about is if your child could be at risk for a condition known as dry drowning.
While statistics show that dry drowning is far from common, it’s still something you need to know about.
What Is Dry Drowning Exactly?
The term ‘dry drowning’ is used to describe what happens when someone inhales a small amount of water while submerged.
This amount of water is not enough to cause them to drown or lose consciousness immediately but it will cause spasms that make the airway close. It can take up to an hour for the symptoms of a dry drowning to appear.
In some cases, you may hear ‘dry drowning’ and ‘secondary drowning’ used interchangeably but they are different conditions.
In secondary drowning, water gets into the lungs which then interferes with the effective transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
Unlike dry drowning, the effects of secondary drowning can take up to 24 hours to become apparent. That means parents and guardians may often miss them.
The Symptoms To Look Out For
According to pediatricians, any child who has been submerged should be assessed for signs of dry drowning. As stated previously, it can take up to an hour for these signs to be noticeable so it’s a good idea to keep your child under observation for a little while.
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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.
