There has been a story circulating since 2014 about a family who had a brush with secondary drowning. It was reported in a blog post by Lindsay Kujawa, after her son, Ronnin, slipped into the water for only 20 seconds during a pool party. He seemed a bit shaken but other than that, there did not seem to be any need for concern
A few hours later, Ronin was rushed to the hospital as his mother watched his oxygen levels falling. Fortunately, for this family, he was able to recover but the mother was “forever changed” since the incident.
Before [that day] I had never heard of secondary drowning. If I had heard of it before, I would have done things differently.
Here are 5 basics about secondary and dry drowning that every parent should understand.
1. It Happens Out Of Water – Both secondary and dry drowning are atypical types of drowning, because they occur after the child is out of the water. With dry drowning, water is swallowed and it doesn’t enter the lungs. The water does enter the airway, leading to spasms, difficulty with breathing and potentially, suffocation.
On the other hand, secondary drowning takes place when water enters the lungs. It could lead to breathing issues that are potentially life-threatening.
2. You Need to Watch for Hours – A problem with dry drowning does not occur within a few minutes after the child is in the water. The child may not show any signs of distress and secondary drowning for hours or perhaps even up to a day after they are out of the water. Secondary drowning could lead to swelling of the lungs that is delayed. If a toddler even slips under the water for a few seconds, the parent should pay attention to how they respond afterward.
3. Watch for Fatigue and Coughing – According to Dr. Vincenzo Maniaci, a pediatric emergency medical specialist, “The biggest things to look at are the level of activity, trouble breathing and coughing.”
If your child is suddenly sleepy and that seems unusual for the level of activity they had, that’s a sign to seek medical attention
For the treatment of dry or secondary drowning, time is of the essence. Doctors will need to monitor vital signs, get a chest x-ray and perhaps even provide acute interventions.
4. Dry and Secondary Drowning Are Uncommon – Fortunately, these types of drowning only make up about 1 to 2 percent of all drowning incidents. They are frightening, but they are rare. It is still important for parents to know what to look for, just in case.
5. You Can Do A Lot to Help – In this type of drowning, parents can play a large role in preventing the problem. Constant supervision when children are near water is vitally important. Know the child’s swimming skills and realize that drowning happens quickly, unlike it is portrayed in the media.
There are plenty of safety measures to put into place, such as door alarms and pool gates. Swimming lessons can also go a long way in helping children to be safe in the water. Drowning is responsible for more deaths in children under 4 than any other cause, except congenial anomalies.
Via: Huffington Post
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