Understanding Dry Drowning

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19 Jun Understanding Dry Drowning

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Given the recent tragedy in Houston where a 4 year-old child died from dry drowning, this rare form of drowning has been featured in many news stories. Crystal Clear Pools and Spas wants to educate our friends on what you should know about dry drowning so you will understand the signs and know how to respond if necessary. Here are important things to know:

 

Dry Drowning is an Obsolete Term

Drowning is a process that begins at the beginning and doesn’t appear out of nowhere. That is why the term “dry drowning” is incorrect. It suggest the child had no injury and then suddenly drowned while in bed. As such, “dry drowning” is an outdated term, said Dr. Eric Higginbotham, medical director of the emergency department at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. Doctors now think about it as just drowning. It occurs after you’re out of the water.

 

Regardless of Terminology, What is Dry Drowning?

Dry drowning happens when water irritates the larynx (vocal chords), and the person has a severe inflammatory reaction to it. The reaction causes the vocal chords to spasm (laryngospasm reflex) and that causes them to close. The person then has trouble or cannot pass air into their lungs.

So, when considering what could happen to a child:

A kid goes underwater and comes up coughing. He probably inhaled water that hit the vocal chords, or he inhaled water that gets under the vocal chords and into the lungs.

A minimal amount of fluid can cause the surfactant in the lungs to become inactive. Surfactant is a fluid secreted by the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) that prevents the alveoli from collapsing.

When the surfactant becomes inactive, the alveoli become sticky and collapse, instead of lubricated and open. As more and more of them collapse, it becomes hard to breathe and a kid goes into respiratory distress.

 

How Would I Know? What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of dry drowning can be seen from between one hour to 24 hours after the incident. Usually sooner rather than later with dry drowning.

The symptoms include:

  • Coughing
  • Gasping
  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Feeling extremely tired
  • Lips or skin turning blue
  • Changes in behavior
  • A high-pitched breathing sound called stridor
  • Foam around the mouth – Anyone pulled from the water who is coughing or sputtering and has foam around their mouth needs emergency care immediately.

 

When do you need to go to the emergency room?

If a person who has been in water shows any of these symptoms, call 911 or get them to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

People go swimming all the time, swallow water and come up coughing.

You worry when a child looks like he is in distress, feels uncomfortable in his chest, continues to cough or wheeze, or has an unusual amount of fatigue. That’s when you need to go to the emergency room. If you’re worried, go ahead and go.

Most of the time, this drowning will develop over a period of six hours and continue to get worse.

 

Is Dry Drowning Preventable?

Yes. Attention and information are key to prevention. Here are a few tips:

  • Watch your children when they are in and around water, any water. It takes only moments to take in enough water to cause drowning.
  • Always have kids at arm’s length, where you can reach out and touch them. When they are in the water, you have to really watch them.
  • Make sure kids know how to swim and watch to make sure weak swimmers don’t go out beyond their abilities.
  • Put kids in swimming lessons early, including swimming lessons that teach what to do if kids fall into a pool: how to flip over, get to the edge and pull themselves out. They need to practice it so they don’t panic.
  • Don’t let kids get too tired in the water.
  • Encourage them to keep their mouths closed when going under water or when their faces are near the water.
  • Remember the symptoms. If you see any in your child, take him to the hospital.
  • Learn CPR. “Early bystander CPR really, really saves lives.”
  • Put kids in the right size of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

 

How Common are Dry Drownings?

Dry drownings drownings account for between 1 and 2 percent of all drownings in the United States so are particularly uncommon. The key is knowing the signs and preventative measures you can take so that you’re able to react accordingly.

 

Where Did You Get This Information?

In this post, we shared information from the following articles:

  • On “Dry Drowning” from Drowning Lit
  • What is ‘dry drowning’ and how do you prevent it? from Austin American Statesman
  • What parents need to know about ‘dry’ and ‘secondary’ drowning from Austin360

 

Crystal Clear Pools and Spas Cares

Crystal Clear Pools and Spas loves making backyard dreams come true. As part of making your dreams a reality, we want your family and friends to safely enjoy your oasis. We offer a number of safety items to ensure your pool is a source of joy and happiness ONLY. Call us at (512) 339-9304 today to learn more.

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