Skip to content

Just added to your cart

    Qty:
    View cart ()
    Logo
    Log in Cart
    0 items
    • Shop
      Heartbeat Animals Accessories Supplies Gender Reveal Supplies Ultrasound Gifts Bargain Cave Sponsorship
    • About Us
      Our History FAQs Videos
    • Pregnancy Blog
    • Find Retailers
    • Become a Wholesaler
    • Sponsorship
    • Contact Us
    Access Denied
    IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts
    Home My Baby's Heartbeat Bear Dry Drowning vs Secondary Drowning: What Parents Need to Know
    • delayed drowning
    • drowning
    • dry drowning
    • Parenthood
    • secondary drowning

    Dry Drowning vs Secondary Drowning: What Parents Need to Know

    Elizabeth MacDonald
    May 17, 2018
    Dry Drowning vs Secondary Drowning: What Parents Need to Know

    Pools will be opening up for the summer swim season soon, and after a year (or more) of being out of the water, now is the time to brush up on your drowning knowledge.

    Water safety is something every parent feels anxiety over. Children are enrolled in swim lessons and survival lessons a just a few months of age, which is a great idea, but doesn't guarantee pool or water safety. While the thought of a child drowning is common - and terrifying, most parents overlook the possibility of dry drowning and secondary drowning.

    When a child suffers from drowning effects long after being in the water, potentially leading to death, it is an unexpected tragedy - known as secondary drowning. The media will often use both dry drowning and secondary drowning terms interchangeably, but they are two different experiences.

    According to ISLA (International Surf Lifesaving Association): “There are no medically accepted conditions known as near-drowning, dry drowning, and secondary drowning. The World Health Organization, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the Wilderness Medical Society, the Utstein Style system, the International Lifesaving Federation, the International Conference on Drowning, Starfish Aquatics Institute, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all discourage the use of these terms. (WHO, Circulation 2003;108[20]:2565; Wilderness Environ Med 2016;27[2]:236; International Life Saving Federation; Handbook on Drowning: Prevention, Rescue, Treatment. Berlin: Springer, 2006; Starfish Aquatics Institute; Circulation 2005,112:IV-133; American Red Cross Statement on Secondary Drowning, Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2004;53:447; Snopes; CDC.)”

    While these tragedies are very rare, they are possible.

    Dry Drowning

    Dry drowning means that water never enters the victim’s lungs. Instead, water causes the vocal cords to spasm and close off the airways. This occurs while in the water, not hours, days, or weeks later. Dry drowning causes asphyxiation and occurs in the moment. It looks a lot like normal drowning.

    What does drowning look like?

    There is little to no thrashing, but more of a sinking situation that occurs. It often happens right in front of adults because it only takes the blink of an eye – and doesn’t cause much of a scene.

    Secondary Drowning (Or Delayed Drowning)

    Delayed drowning is when a small amount of water does enter the lungs and slowly inhibits the lungs' ability to do their job. The victim has trouble breathing over a period of time (hours or days) before he or she ‘drowns,’ but there are very noticeable signs that should raise a red flag to a parent if this is happening.

    With secondary drowning, you may notice your child swallow, gag, or cough on water at the pool. Sometimes a large belch even occurs. This does not mean water has entered the lungs; again, this is quite a rare probability, but it is a sign to watch your child and note any behavior or health changes.

    Things to watch for in the hours following:

    • Hard Coughing
    • Vomiting
    • Breathing Challenges (rapid, shallow breaths)
    • Chest Pain
    • Blue Lips
    • Pale Skin
    • Extreme Fatigue (This means oxygen is not making it to the brain at a normal rate)
    • Crankiness or Acting Out in Uncharacteristic Ways

    If these warning signs occur, and begin to worsen instead of clear up, head to the doctor or emergency room to be checked out.

    If your anxiety is still on high, jump in the pool with your kids and keep them within an arm’s reach. That way you will know if anything odd takes place.

    Previous Post
    Cocktails and Mocktails for Your Memorial Day BBQ
    Cocktails and Mocktails for Your Memorial Day BBQ
    5/13/2021
    Next Post
    Displaying Your Heartbeat Animals for Easier Sales
    Displaying Your Heartbeat Animals for Easier Sales
    5/17/2021
    Share
    Twitter
    Pinterest
    Share
    Email
    Comments
    Leave a comment
    Your Email Address Will Not Be Published. Required Fields Are Marked *
    Subscribe to our Newsletter
    Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our articles & discounts.

    Email have already subscribed!

    Vintage Giraffe

    Vintage Giraffe

    wholesale-cta_600x600_30ffe1f1-22dd-4d5c-9b4f-0fe47d46626e
    Featured Articles
    How to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas

    How to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas

    Dec 4, 2023
    Christmas Gift Ideas for New Moms (or moms-to-be)

    Christmas Gift Ideas for New Moms (or moms-to-be)

    Dec 1, 2023
    2023 Isn't Over Yet: December Fun

    2023 Isn't Over Yet: December Fun

    Nov 29, 2023
    10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for New Moms & Dads

    10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for New Moms & Dads

    Nov 27, 2023
    Invalid password
    Enter

    Featured On

    • Logo
    • Logo
    • Logo
    • Logo
    • Logo
    Badge
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Subscribe and Save!

    Receive updates, access to exclusive deals, and more!

    Shop
    • My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear
    • My Angel’s Heartbeat Bear
    • My Furbaby’s Heartbeat Bear
    • Gender Reveal Gifts
    Support
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping & Returns
    • FAQs
    • Search
    • Accessibility Statement
    Find Out More
    • Store Locator
    • Become a Wholesaler
    • Login
    • Blog
    • About Us
    Download the App

    Record your baby’s heartbeat with our app for safekeeping

    FIND OUT MORE
    © 2020 My Baby's Heartbeat Bear. Privacy Policy / Terms & Conditions
    Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device
    • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
    • Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.
    • Blue Gender Reveal Shirt
    • Pink Gender Reveal Shirt
    • Camo Shirt
    • Gender Reveal Kit
    • Custom Logo Shirt
    • Gift Card
    • Product Catalog Digital Download
    • Graduation Bear