I wrote this blog back in February - but life got in the way of completing it. Since then I had a scare with dry drowning when my daughter aspirated a large amount of water while drinking from on open mouth water bottle. I was able to act quickly when she started to demonstrate symptoms due to the writing of this blog. To learn more about dry drowning go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24982210/from/ET/
Most parents are aware of the potential of drowning many are not as familiar with dry drowning. Dry drowning hit the headlines last June (2008), a 10-year-old boy from Goose Creek, S.C., died several hours after being in a swimming pool (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24982210/from/ET/). His story has left many parents concerned about the risks of dry drowning and wondering how they can best protect their children from this health threat.
What is dry drowning?
Dry drowning is basically drowning without water. With dry drowning, you are not drowning from an immediate immersion in water; it is more of a delayed effect of a small amount of water in the lungs. This can result in laryngospasms, which minimize the amount of water aspirated into the lungs. Respiratory arrest may follow, leading to an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood, cardiac arrest, and eventually brain death.
How long after an incident is there a risk for dry drowning?
Dry drowning usually occurs between one hour and 24 hours after an incident. A person can have a drowning incident, be pulled out of the water, be OK, and then sometime within the next 24 hours, they can dry drown.
What are the symptoms of dry drowning?
Symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or pain in chest. All of those things are signals that something could be wrong. If someone comes out of the water and coughs for a minute, then calms down -- that is much different than if the child keeps coughing or complaining of pain. Like the child involved in the incident in South Carolina, a change in mental status and/or lethargy may also indicate that something is wrong. Remember, children can not compensate for very long like adults. They tend to "crash" quickly once these signs are present, so act quickly.
Can dry drowning be treated?
Yes. If it is caught early, dry drowning can be treated. The treatment involves supplying oxygen to the lungs and getting the breathing process restarted.
Tips to help prevent dry drowning:
Steps 1
Teach children proper water safety. Dry drownings occur when water that is swallowed pools in the bottom of the lungs. This causes a person to drown when she is out of the water. Teaching a child to keep her mouth closed and plug her nose when she is under water will help to prevent her from swallowing water.
Step 2
Set limits. Extreme fatigue is considered a sign that a dry drowning can occur within twenty-four hours of participating in a water sport. Setting limits on the amount of time children are in water can help to prevent dry drownings by ensuring that they aren't overly tired while they are in the water.
Step 3
Take regular breaks. If you are spending more than two hours participating in water activities, take at least a fifteen minute break every two hours. Use this time to have a snack and drink water. Children may swallow water when they are swimming if they are thirsty.
Step 4
Pay attention. Being vigilant when your child is swimming can prevent dry drowning, as well as other water-related injuries. You should watch to ensure that your child isn't swallowing water or trying to breathe under the water. In addition to that, make sure that your child is fully alert.
Step 5
Have your child cough. When liquids go down the wind pipe, a person's body coughs in response to the irritation of the fluid. Sometimes, this response fails. Once your child gets out of the water for the day, encourage him to cough every 15 to 20 minutes. If you notice a lot of fluid coming up with the coughs, contact your child's doctor.
Most parents are aware of the potential of drowning many are not as familiar with dry drowning. Dry drowning hit the headlines last June (2008), a 10-year-old boy from Goose Creek, S.C., died several hours after being in a swimming pool (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24982210/from/ET/). His story has left many parents concerned about the risks of dry drowning and wondering how they can best protect their children from this health threat.
What is dry drowning?
Dry drowning is basically drowning without water. With dry drowning, you are not drowning from an immediate immersion in water; it is more of a delayed effect of a small amount of water in the lungs. This can result in laryngospasms, which minimize the amount of water aspirated into the lungs. Respiratory arrest may follow, leading to an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood, cardiac arrest, and eventually brain death.
How long after an incident is there a risk for dry drowning?
Dry drowning usually occurs between one hour and 24 hours after an incident. A person can have a drowning incident, be pulled out of the water, be OK, and then sometime within the next 24 hours, they can dry drown.
What are the symptoms of dry drowning?
Symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or pain in chest. All of those things are signals that something could be wrong. If someone comes out of the water and coughs for a minute, then calms down -- that is much different than if the child keeps coughing or complaining of pain. Like the child involved in the incident in South Carolina, a change in mental status and/or lethargy may also indicate that something is wrong. Remember, children can not compensate for very long like adults. They tend to "crash" quickly once these signs are present, so act quickly.
Can dry drowning be treated?
Yes. If it is caught early, dry drowning can be treated. The treatment involves supplying oxygen to the lungs and getting the breathing process restarted.
Tips to help prevent dry drowning:
Steps 1
Teach children proper water safety. Dry drownings occur when water that is swallowed pools in the bottom of the lungs. This causes a person to drown when she is out of the water. Teaching a child to keep her mouth closed and plug her nose when she is under water will help to prevent her from swallowing water.
Step 2
Set limits. Extreme fatigue is considered a sign that a dry drowning can occur within twenty-four hours of participating in a water sport. Setting limits on the amount of time children are in water can help to prevent dry drownings by ensuring that they aren't overly tired while they are in the water.
Step 3
Take regular breaks. If you are spending more than two hours participating in water activities, take at least a fifteen minute break every two hours. Use this time to have a snack and drink water. Children may swallow water when they are swimming if they are thirsty.
Step 4
Pay attention. Being vigilant when your child is swimming can prevent dry drowning, as well as other water-related injuries. You should watch to ensure that your child isn't swallowing water or trying to breathe under the water. In addition to that, make sure that your child is fully alert.
Step 5
Have your child cough. When liquids go down the wind pipe, a person's body coughs in response to the irritation of the fluid. Sometimes, this response fails. Once your child gets out of the water for the day, encourage him to cough every 15 to 20 minutes. If you notice a lot of fluid coming up with the coughs, contact your child's doctor.
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