Signs of drowning usually occur immediately after the incident.
While the news has sensationalized the term dry drowning, the only medically accepted term is drowning.
What Is Dry Drowning?
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It is also sometimes called “secondary” or “delayed” drowning.
However, further investigation revealed that the child passed due to a heart condition, not drowning.
It is possible for breathing symptoms to worsen 4 to 6 hours after water submersion.
In drowning, the injury is due to oxygen deprivation.
Symptoms depend on the severity of the event and whether the individual is conscious.
Drowning events can happen quickly.
Drowning can occur within minutes.
It is one of the top three causes of unintentional death in people under 30 years old.
Diagnosis
Medical tests are used to understand the severity of the drowning event.
A chest X-ray can identify water in the lungs.
Sometimes, a small amount of water is present in the lungs.
Lack of oxygen can result in cardiac arrest and organ damage.
For young kids, constant supervision during baths, swimming, and water activities is imperative.
Summary
What many individuals consider dry drowning or secondary drowning are true drowning events.
The first sign of any drowning event, if the person is conscious, is typically breathing difficulties.
The individual may be breathing quickly, coughing, or struggling to catch their breath.
Be sure to practice water safety measures to prevent drowning incidents.
Cedars Sinai.Is dry drowning a real danger to your children?
Stern AM, Thompson LA.What parents should know about drowning and dry drowning.JAMA Pediatr.
2022;176(8):830.
The American Red Cross.Debunking dry or delayed/secondary drowning.
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Drowning.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for drowning.
