X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

5 Things you should know about dry and secondary drowning

3 min read
5 Things you should know about dry and secondary drowning

“It might not cause any effects immediately, but [secondary drowning] can cause edema or swelling of the lungs in a delayed fashion.”

When we hear the word “drowning,” what comes into our minds are images of pools and beaches and lakes and bodies of water in general, both artificial and otherwise.

But did you know that drowning can also occur on dry land? This kind of drowning is two-fold: one is called dry drowning and the other secondary drowning.

The Huffington Post gives the five crucial things you need to know about them.

1. They occur out of the water

According to Mark Zonfrillo, a pediatric emergency physician at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, both dry and secondary drowning are types of drowning in that occur after a child has been pulled out of the water.

“In dry drowning, water is swallowed, but doesn’t enter the lungs. It does, however, enter the airway, causing it to spasm, which can lead to difficulty breathing and even suffocation.”

On the other hand, secondary drowning occurs when water does enter the lungs, which leads to life-threatening respiratory issues.

2. It’s important to be watchful for hours

With dry drowning, it happens minutes after a child has been exposed to water. Secondary drowning, however, may not show signs for hours, or even up to a day in rare cases.

“It might not cause any effects immediately, but [secondary drowning] can cause edema or swelling of the lungs in a delayed fashion,” Dr. Mark said.

5 Things You Should Know About Dry and Secondary Drowning

3. Look for coughing and fatigue

Dr. Vincenzo Maniaci, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida said: “The biggest things to look at are the level of activity, trouble breathing and coughing.”

Dr. Mark echoed this statement. If your child is suddenly sleepy and that seems unusual for the level of activity they had, it usually means you should seek medical attention.

He also said that time is important when it comes to treating dry and secondary drowning. “Doctors will want to check and continuously monitor vital signs, get a chest X-ray and possibly provide acute interventions, like administering oxygen.”

4. Thankfully, both types of drowning are relatively uncommon

“These types of drowning only compose about 1 to 2 percent of all drowning incidents,” Dr. Mark said. “They’re equally scary, but extremely rare.”

5. There’s actually a lot parents can do

Dr. Mark said parents should constantly supervise their children when they’re near open water.

“Know exactly who is watching [him or her],” he said. “Make sure you understand the child’s swimming skills, and keep in mind that drowning happens very quickly and not how it’s usually portrayed in the media—there’s not a lot of splashing, it happens very silently.”

Partner Stories
Parents, here's what you should do when your child sees you and your spouse fighting
Parents, here's what you should do when your child sees you and your spouse fighting
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
13 Must-haves for Your Online Baby Checkout Checklist
13 Must-haves for Your Online Baby Checkout Checklist
Why Knowing Children’s Current Academic Ability Can Help them Advance in School
Why Knowing Children’s Current Academic Ability Can Help them Advance in School

READ: 5 Summer diseases you should look out for

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Child Safety
  • /
  • 5 Things you should know about dry and secondary drowning
Share:
  • Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

    Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

  • What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

  • What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

  • Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

    Dads of boys: Here's how YOU can help stop violence against women

  • What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is uninvolved parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

  • What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

    What is authoritative parenting? Here's what you need to know about it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.