Watch Out for This Warning Sign Over the Summer—Here's What Parents Need To Know About Secondary and Dry Drowning
Summer is almost synonymous with swimming. Not only is it fun for kids and adults alike, but it is also a sure way to keep cool. Of course, with anything fun, there are also so many dangers to be aware of. Obviously, with swimming, the biggest danger is drowning and many parents take plenty of necessary precautions with their kids. However, what is secondary drowning or dry drowning? Those two terms have instilled some new fears in parents that are worthy of discussion.
Some of the confusion lies in the fact that there have been cases of near-drownings that have resulted in death days later. This is enough to spike any parent's anxiety level up a notch or two. Plus, "dry drowning" is a confusing description in and of itself and conjures up images of children drowning without even going underwater.
Secondary and dry drowning are important descriptors to know about in evaluating your child after a water incident. We'll explain exactly what they mean and what warning signs to watch out for after a near-drowning experience.
What Is 'Dry Drowning'?
First things first: Drowning is a process and can be interrupted at any point between distress and death. As Cleveland Clinic has stated, "If the victim is rescued at any time, the process is interrupted, and this is termed a nonfatal drowning. If the victim dies at any time, this is a fatal drowning."
Dry drowning is not an actual medical term but refers to drowning when no water actually enters the lungs.
The term "dry drowning" can be confusing because it sounds as if water isn't involved with the drowning at all. However, dry drowning is caused by being submerged in water for an extended time.
According to Cleveland Clinic, if you are struggling underwater and unable to come up for air, you can experience a laryngeal spasm that shuts off your airway. When this happens and water doesn't enter the lungs, it is called dry drowning. Dry drowning accounts for about 10-15 percent of drowning cases and has been referred to as drowning without water aspiration.
It is not the exact same thing as secondary drowning, however, even though those terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
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What Is 'Secondary Drowning'?
Secondary drowning, another non-medical term, can best be described as a secondary injury after a nonfatal drowning, of any kind, has been interrupted. And secondary drownings occur when water does get into the lungs.
Any dangerous symptoms will appear within hours (although it can be as long as 24-48 hours later). The reality of secondary drowning is that some children may develop worse symptoms within hours due to pulmonary edema that is caused by inhaling water into the lungs.
Because of this danger, it is important to watch your child closely for symptoms and evaluate if they are progressively getting better or worse. Although mild symptoms in the majority of nonfatal drowning incidents get better within the first four to eight hours, it's important to know these warning signs.
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#1 Warning Sign of Secondary or Dry Drowning To Look Out For
Although there are many symptoms to watch out for, the biggest warning sign that you will have is labored breathing. The problem is that most young children won't be able to express their breathing difficulties. This means parents have to be very observant. Here are some ways to tell if your child is having respiratory distress:
Rapid breathing rate - According to Mayo Clinic, if you begin noticing unusually rapid breathing in your child, this is the time to seek immediate care
Nostril flaring - a physical sign that shows troubled breathing
Chest sinks in with each breath
Turning blue - check the color of lips and fingernails for a bluish tint which would mean that they aren't getting enough oxygen
Unusual breathing sounds - grunting or wheezing
Sweating
Fatigue - low oxygen levels can result in fatigue or alertness
Other Symptoms of Secondary or Dry Drowning
Coughing - Although coughing is to be expected with taking in water, it becomes more of a warning sign if the cough is persistent and the child had been underwater for a prolonged period of time
Irritability - watch for mood changes
Chest pain
Vomiting
Abdominal swelling
Fever
When To Seek Care
According to Cleveland Clinic, "Nonfatal drowning—with symptoms ranging from mild cough to severe pulmonary edema, and complications ranging from none to severe neurologic impairment—is far more common than fatal drowning."
They further explain, "For every fatal drowning, there are at least five nonfatal drowning incidents in which medical care is needed, and 200 rescues are performed."
It's imperative to get a child evaluated right away if they are showing any serious symptoms like breathing difficulties or excessive coughing. However, it's also wise to get your child checked out anytime they have experienced significant water distress or a water rescue, even if they aren't showing initial symptoms. Then, once they get the all-clear, they should be continually watched for further developing symptoms.
How To Practice Safe Swimming
Young children between the ages of one and four are at the highest risk of drowning. However, there are some things you can do to ensure a safer swimming experience. Here are some of the best ways to avoid a drowning incident:
Enroll your child in swimming lessons
Have your child wear a life jacket
Adult supervision - avoid distractions
Swim with a buddy
Install fences around pools
As a parent, learn CPR and basic water rescue rules
Avoid swimming where there is an undertow
Never leave your child alone in the bathtub
Don't let your child play near a stream or other small body of water by themselves
How To Recognize Distress in Swimmers
Always be mindful of what a swimmer in distress looks like. Sometimes distress can look a lot like play, so it's important to watch closely and not get distracted. Here are some of the things to watch for.
Gasping for air
Bobbing in water
Hand waving
Floating face down
Being pulled into deeper water
A weak swim stroke
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