Dry Drownings

Dry Drownings

As we head to the water to beat the summer heat, water safety should always be at the front of your mind. Most of us know what drowning is but there is another type of drowning that can be fatal if not treated in time and it is called Dry Drowning or Secondary Drowning. According to WebMD; with dry drowning  water never reaches the lungs. Instead, breathing in water causes your child’s vocal cords to spasm and close up. That shuts off their airways, making it hard to breathe.  Secondary Drownings

Secondary drowning” is another term people use to describe another drowning complication. It happens if water gets into the lungs. There, it can irritate the lungs’ lining and fluid can build up, causing a condition called pulmonary edema. You’d likely notice your child having trouble breathing right away, and it might get worse over the next 24 hours. Both events are very rare. They make up only 1%-2% of all drownings, says pediatrician James Orlowski, MD, of Florida Hospital Tampa.

Listed below are the symptoms

Coughing
Chest pain
Trouble breathing
Feeling extremely tired
Your child may also have changes in behavior such as such as irritability or a drop in energy levels, which could mean the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen.

If your child or someone you know experiences these symptoms please seek medical attention immediately.

Courtesy of WebMD