What is Dry Drowning and What Parents Need to Know

Drowning incidents are not always what they seem. This summer, add these tips and information to your water safety toolkit to protect your children.

Imagine this: On a hot summer day, your child is splashing around in the pool while you relax on a lounge chair, enjoying a cold drink and reading a book. You keep a close eye on them, checking every minute to ensure they’re still safe and above water. Eventually, you see them climb out of the pool, so you focus back on your book. That is, until they suddenly start coughing violently.

Parents, did you know that even if your child isn’t in the water, they can still drown?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 1-14 in the U.S. This highlights how important it is to monitor your children closely during water-related activities. Equally important is recognizing the signs of something called “dry drowning.”

What is Dry Drowning?

If you search online for “dry drowning,” you might come across descriptions stating that it occurs when liquid enters the nose or mouth and causes a spasm in the airway, preventing air from reaching the lungs.

While water impacting the vocal cords is a serious concern, it’s important to note that dry drowning is not a formal medical term.

Dr. Nkeiruka Orajiaka, an emergency medicine researcher at the Children’s Health Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, clarifies that dry drowning is simply the consequence of drowning itself. “When you’re underwater, two things can happen,” she explains. “Water can enter the lungs, or you might experience a spasm when water enters the vocal cords — which we call ‘laryngospasm.’”

Symptoms and Signs of Laryngospasm (Dry Drowning)

If your child begins to exhibit any of the following signs and symptoms within 24 hours of being in the water, they might be experiencing laryngospasm (dry drowning):

• Coughing or gagging
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fatigue or lethargy
• High fever

Diagnosis and Treatment

If your child shows any of the above symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away. Depending on the severity, your child may need a range of tests, including X-rays, blood tests, or imaging scans such as MRIs or CT scans.

According to Dr. Orajiaka, terms like “dry drowning” and “secondary drowning” (where water enters the lungs and causes fluid buildup — pulmonary edema) are considered non-fatal drowning as long as the victim survives the incident.

Treatment for non-fatal drowning depends on the severity of the patient’s condition but typically involves oxygen administration through a non-rebreather mask, nasal cannula, or intubation. In more severe cases, resuscitation might be necessary.

Factors that Increase Drowning Risk

Understanding the risk factors that contribute to drowning is essential for prevention. These include:

• Age: Children are at higher risk due to their limited swimming experience and lack of water safety knowledge.
• Pre-existing respiratory conditions: Conditions like asthma may increase the likelihood of drowning.
• Inadequate supervision or safety measures: According to the Lifesaving Society, 92% of drowning deaths in children under five are due to distracted or absent supervision.

Long-Term Effects of Non-Fatal Drowning

Seeking medical attention immediately after a drowning incident can save lives, but it doesn’t mean that the victim won’t face lasting effects. Drowning (or near-drowning) is an extremely traumatic event for the body and may lead to various long-term consequences, including:

• Brain Injury Due to Hypoxia: When someone drowns, the oxygen supply to the brain can be compromised. Unfortunately, brain injury is a relatively common consequence of drowning incidents, sometimes leading to conditions like cerebral hypoxia.
• Respiratory Complications: Because drowning directly harms the lungs, survivors might experience respiratory complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Neurological Damage: Victims of non-fatal drowning can experience neurological impairment, affecting motor skills, memory, and executive function.
• Psychological Trauma: The emotional and psychological toll of a non-fatal drowning is just as significant as the physical effects. Survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.

Conclusion

Dry drowning may sound like a rare phenomenon, but it’s important for parents to understand the symptoms and take immediate action if their child shows any signs of distress after being in the water. By knowing the signs, seeking prompt medical care, and taking proper precautions around water, you can help ensure that your child enjoys a safe and fun summer without the risks of drowning-related injuries. Stay vigilant, and remember that your attentiveness can be a life-saving measure.