With summer finally here, many pediatricians are cautioning parents about drowning risks. However, even parents who take reasonable precautions to protect their little ones from drowning may not be aware of two rarer, sneakier forms of water-induced breathing difficulties: dry and secondary drowning. If your child loves to splash around in the pool, pay attention to them in the hours after swimming and watch for the signs of these two conditions.

Dry Drowning vs. Secondary Drowning

In dry drowning cases, water doesn’t make its way into the lungs. Instead, water entering the nose or mouth causes the airways to spasm, which closes them off. As a result, air cannot enter the lungs, and breathing is disrupted. With dry drowning, a child will have problems breathing or even appear to be choking fairly soon after inhaling the water.

With secondary drowning, water does make its way into the lungs. This causes the lungs to swell, which stops the flow of oxygen. Because secondary drowning can happen accidentally after a large splash or an unexpected water disruption, it’s important to look for the signs of an issue. A child may appear to be lethargic or sleepy, or cough persistently fairly soon after exposure.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Child

If you have a pool at home, make sure it’s properly fenced in with a locking gate. Additionally, always have an adult nearby when children are swimming, even if your kids are strong swimmers. Pay attention if a child seems to inhale water or starts coughing suddenly, and limit splashing to avoid accidental inhalation. All parents should know CPR. Additionally, if you notice your child is having difficulty breathing or is coughing persistently after swimming, bring them to the emergency room. While these cases are rare, they are emergencies when they happen.

Though both dry and secondary drowning are serious situations, they don’t have to be fatal. With quick intervention of a pediatrician at the emergency room, your child can recover. If you’re in or around Skagit, San Juan, and Island Counties, WA, turn to Island Hospital for emergency care. In addition to their state-of-the-art emergency room and walk-in clinic, their pediatricians also offer essential services, including wellness exams, developmental checks, and even treatment of pediatric sleep disorders. Schedule an appointment with a pediatrician today by calling (360) 299-1300, and visit the website to learn more about their services.