Be aware of this rare form of drowning, keep kids safe.
"Dry drowning," also known as delayed or secondary drowning, is something everyone should be made aware of, especially now that swimming pools are open across the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "more children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects."
The danger of a child suffering from dry drowning can happen up to 24 hours after the child gets out of the pool or ocean. Water can cause a spasm in the airway and obstruct breathing, or it can get into the lungs themselves. If a child has inhaled a lot of water while swimming or has suffered a near-drowning experience, parents should be especially cautious.
Dry Drowning Warning Signs:
There are six signs parents need to watch for after a child’s swimming or water event:
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Sleepiness or a drop in energy level
- Irritability
- Chest pain
- Vomiting
To prevent scary water trauma like this, The American Osteopathic Association also encourages parents and caregivers to:
- Teach water safety, including no diving in shallow waters and only swimming in areas with lifeguards.
- Help your kids learn to swim as early as possible.
- Ensure pools are properly guarded.
- Warn teens of the risk of swimming under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- Never let children swim alone. Be vigilant when watching them swim or play around large and small bodies of water such as plastic pools or bathtubs.
- Discourage rough play, such as head dunking, in and around water.
If a child has experienced a near-drowning episode (or if something just feels wrong), it’s always a good idea to visit the emergency room for a professional assessment. Like many accidents, dry drowning can be prevented. Always keep an eye out when your little ones are playing in and around water, and always be aware of sudden changes in behavior after children have been in the water.
Please stay vigilant, and pay close attention to kids in the hours following water play.
