Primary drowning is what you probably think of when you hear someone has drowned. It refers to being unable to breathe after being submerged in water or other liquid. Water enters the airways and lungs and inhibits breathing, which prevents the delivery of oxygenated blood to vital organs, including the heart and brain. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for too long—really just a matter of minutes—it can cause brain damage and/or death. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths, especially in children. Learn how to help prevent your child from drowning.
The Difference Between Dry Drowning and Secondary Drowning
People who survive a drowning incident may develop complications, such as a lung infection or other illness. Complications of aspiration—breathing water into the lungs—may occur after the drowning victim is pulled from the water and presumed safe. That is the case for both dry drowning and secondary drowning.
Dry drowning symptoms typically involve laryngospasm, a reflex contraction of the vocal cords that prevents water from entering the lungs but can also prevent adequate air intake through the windpipe. Laryngospasm can occur minutes to hours after initially breathing in water and could be life-threatening without proper medical attention. If you have experienced a near drowning or are with someone who has, watch for signs of choking or being unable to breathe and seek emergency care.
Secondary drowning also refers to complications of water aspiration. The victim may seem fine initially but may start to slowly worsen over several hours to a few days after aspirating. This worsening can represent underlying problems, such as lung inflammation or a pulmonary edema, a process in which more fluids are produced by the lungs. When there is a large amount of fluid in the lungs, it can limit the lungs’ ability to properly inflate and oxygenate the blood, sometimes to the point of respiratory failure.
When Should You Seek Medical Care
Getting water “down the wrong pipe” does not always indicate need for medical evaluation. If you aspirate a small amount of water and cough briefly, with complete resolution of symptoms, there is usually no need to worry.
Worrisome symptoms that warrant immediate medical evaluation include:
- Excessive, persistent or worsening cough. If a cough is excessive, persists for hours or worsens at any point, seek immediate medical attention.
- Trouble breathing. Labored breathing, breathing fast, air hunger, sunken chest, or high-pitched noise when breathing that lasts for more than a few seconds to few minutes is a sign to seek immediate care.
- Fever. A fever following a drowning event could indicate complications, such as a lung infection.
- Lethargy. Extreme sleepiness, beyond what is expected after swimming, is a sign there may be a problem.
- Vomiting or foaming at the mouth. This can occur secondary to coughing or could indicate an underlying illness.
- Confusion or altered mental status. Abnormal behavior or confusion could indicate a potential illness or injury.
Who is at Risk of Drowning
Drowning can happen to anyone at any age. However, there are certain groups and situations that carry increased drowning risk, including:
- Children
- Men
- Nonswimmers
- People who are intoxicated (through alcohol or drugs) or being supervised by people who are under the influence
- People with autism
- People with seizure disorders
- Lack of proper water safety and preventive measures
Drowning Prevention
While drowning is often preventable, it is important to understand the facts and practice vigilant water safety in or around water, as drowning can occur in a matter of seconds.
- Adult supervision of children should be provided by someone who is vigilant, sober and undistracted at all times. Touch supervision should be used for toddlers, meaning the adult supervising should be within touching distance of the child. There is no substitution for adult supervision when children are swimming, regardless of the child’s swimming skill level.
- Avoidance of alcohol and drugs should be practiced by those who are swimming or supervising children near or in water.
- Barriers, such as fences with self-closing latches that are at least four feet high, should be placed around pools, hot tubs and other water sources.
- Life vests should fit snugly without restricting your arms or riding up.
- Swimming lessons may reduce the risk of drowning, but even children who are considered strong swimmers should have adult supervision when in the water.
- CPR certification should be obtained by those supervising children near water.
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