It’s called dry drowning. Dry drowning can occur up to 24 hours after even a small amount of water invades the lungs. This means that a bath could cause your child to drown. If a person inhales even a small amount of water, they could experience a delayed reaction. Drowning could occur many hours after the incident.
Dry drowning is believed to occur when the larynx spasms closed creating a vacuum that prevents oxygen from entering the lungs. The efforts of the individual to increase the air only serve to exacerbate the problem causing the vacuum effect to intensify. This sets off a series of physiological reactions that cause the body to eventually succumb to what is known as dry drowning and can ultimately result in death.
There are signs experts say can warn you that your child may require medical attention. Fatigue is an important sign. If your child is extremely tired and it is not at a normal rest time this could be a sign of dry drowning. Difficulty breathing is another sign of dry drowning. This sign would more than likely send a warning signal immediately that something is wrong. Change of behavior is another indication of dry drowning. This sign could be more difficult to discern. If you suspect that your child is suffering any of these symptoms it would be best to seek medical attention immediately.
The signs of dry drowning may not occur immediately following the incident. And, unfortunately the signs are not always easy to spot. Dramatic mood changes can be a good indicator. Dry drowning can also cause labored breathing due to the limited air getting into the lungs. Deprivation of oxygen can produce more specific signs such as loss of consciousness and difficulty arousing the individual.
Dry drowning is treated with a breathing tube being inserted into the lungs to supply oxygen. If you suspect that your child may be experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t discount them or delay seeking medical help. Since time is the enemy of someone who may be suffering the symptoms of dry drowning, you should not worry about being wrong. It is better to be informed that your child is okay than to become another statistic of this strange phenomenon. If you wait to long to seek help, you could be too late to save your child.