Can children and adults really suffer fatal injuries as a result of “dry drowning” or “secondary drowning” in San Marcos this summer? Parents often hear about—and worry about—the risks of dry drowning, yet according to a recent article in TribLive, physicians say that there are many misconceptions about dry drowning and secondary drowning that need to be cleared up. These terms suggest that they refer to medical conditions, when in fact they often are used in many different scenarios in which people are suffering from a variety of medical conditions. As such, parents do not need to worry about dry drowning, but they do need to be aware of other medical conditions that can arise when a child is involved in a drowning accident.

Dry Drowning is Not Real, But Other Medical Conditions are

According to Dr. Peter Wernicki, who is a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, the terms ‘dry drowning’ and ‘secondary drowning’ are ones that have “totally been over-hyped by social media and people who are not knowledgeable on the subject.” He went on to emphasize that there is a common misconception that kids get rescued from the water or accidentally swallow or inhale water in the ocean or in a pool, and then suddenly—without warning—the child stops breathing hours or days later. As Wernicki underscores, “that just doesn’t happen.” Indeed, he clarified, “a child doesn’t act fine for eight hours and then die from drowning.”

Yet this does not mean that a near-drowning incident can not result in other serious medical conditions that can in fact lead to death if left untreated. For instance, kids (as well as adults) who are involved in near-drowning incidents can contract aspiration pneumonia. This is an “infection that develops from water trapped in the lungs.” Yet, as Wernicki highlights, this is not a situation that could be described as drowning, and it is also very rare. Other serious infections and conditions can also happen after a near-drowning accident, but they have warning signs, and they simply should not be classified as dry drowning or secondary drowning given that each is distinct.

Signs of Aspiration Pneumonia and Other Conditions Resulting from a Near-Drowning Incident

Recognizing that the terms ‘dry drowning’ and ‘secondary drowning’ have become misleading, the American Red Cross has recommended that healthcare providers stop using them. Parents often bring their children to the doctor after the child has ingested water while swimming, worrying that the child could die as a result of dry drowning. Yet doctors underscore that this is not time well spent. Kids who do have aspiration pneumonia and other conditions show signs like “coughing and labored breathing many hours after leaving the water,” which means that parents would know if there was a problem.

Instead of spending time seeking treatment for kids with no symptoms, pediatricians recommend that parents spend time on drowning prevention methods, including swimming lessons and CPR training.

Just because dry drowning is not a real condition does not mean that parents should not be vigilant about signs of harm after a near-drowning accident. The following are symptoms that may require medical attention:

• Increasingly rapid breathing;
• Labored breathing;
• Lethargy; and
• Any general signs that the child is not well.

Contact a San Marcos Drowning Accident Lawyer

If your child suffered serious harm in a drowning accident, you should speak with a San Marcos drowning accident lawyer about your options. Contact the Walton Law Firm for more information.

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(image courtesy of Ryan Wilson)

Most San Diego residents do not have to wait until summer to enjoy trips to the beach or afternoons by the pool. However, given that most children are on vacation during the summer months and likely will be engaging in recreational activities in and around the water, it is important to think about water safety and ways of preventing serious and even fatal child injuries. Parents in California should understand the risks and symptoms of both dry drowning and secondary drowning, and how to react in the event that an accident happens. According to a recent article in the Huffington Post, dry drowning and secondary drowning are not especially well understood, and it is important to learn more about how these incidents can occur.

Risks Continue After a Child Leaves the Water One of the scariest features of both dry drowning and secondary drowning is that the child typically appears to be safe after being pulled from the water, only to exhibit life-threatening symptoms at a later point. Dry drowning is a little bit different from secondary drowning in terms of the timing. To better understand the symptoms of each, we should take a closer look at what each type of drowning entails.

What is dry drowning? As the article explains, it is a form of drowning that occurs when a child swallows water, and that water irritates his or her throat and windpipes to the extent that the child has difficulty breathing. Dry drowning typically takes place within an hour following a near-drowning experience. Parents should see signs or symptoms of dry drowning within an hour—and perhaps much sooner—of swallowing or inhaling water.

Without immediate medical attention, a dry drowning incident can quickly result in death. It is important for parents to recognize that dry drowning need not occur following a near-drowning experience in a pool or in the ocean. Even a small puddle of water can lead to a dry drowning incident. For example, if a child slips and falls outside and lands in a small amount of water, that can be enough to cause a life-threatening situation. Bathtubs and showers, too, can lead to a dry drowning incident.

Secondary drowning is a bit different in that it can take many hours—sometimes up to 24 hours—for symptoms to appear. While dry drowning does not necessarily result in water in a child’s lungs, secondary drowning happens when a child swallows or inhales water, and it enters the lungs. If water enters a child’s lungs, the lungs can collapse, making it impossible for the child to breathe.

This type of drowning is not always accompanied by a clearly dangerous situation in the water. In other words, a parent might not see his or her child flailing in the water before a secondary drowning accident occurs. Incidents that can lead to secondary drowning often do not seem especially serious at the time. As such, if your child displays any signs or symptoms, take your child to a health care provider immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of Dry Drowning and Secondary Drowning The key to avoiding a dry drowning or secondary drowning fatality is to seek immediate medical attention if your child displays signs or symptoms. According to WebMD, the following are signs and symptoms of dry drowning and secondary drowning:

• Coughing;
• 
  Extreme fatigue;
• 
  Chest pain; and
• 
  Difficulty breathing.

If your child sustained injuries in a drowning incident caused by another person’s negligence, an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer can help. Contact the Walton Law Firm today to discuss your case.

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(photo courtesy of Scott Liddell)