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What Is Dry Drowning? Smaller amounts, particularly water that is contaminated by bacteria, algae, sand, dirt, chemicals, or vomit, can cause lung injury that is not apparent until hours after the person has been removed from the water. This problem is sometimes called secondary drowning. Lung injury tends to cause continuing oxygen deprivation. Freshwater in the lungs is absorbed into the bloodstream. Vocal cord spasm may develop only after a person is removed from the water.
If so, it usually occurs within a few minutes. Because water does not enter the lungs, this condition is sometimes called dry drowning. Submersion in cold water has both good and bad effects. Cooling of the muscles makes swimming difficult, and dangerously low body temperature hypothermia Hypothermia Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature.
Hypothermia is often regarded as a cold injury, because it can be caused or made worse by exposure to cold surroundings. Being in an environment Cold, however, protects tissues from the ill effects of oxygen deprivation. In addition, cold water may stimulate the mammalian diving reflex, which may prolong survival in cold water.
The diving reflex slows the heartbeat and redirects the flow of blood from the hands, feet, and intestine to the heart and brain, thus helping to preserve these vital organs.
The diving reflex is more pronounced in children than in adults, so children have a greater chance of surviving prolonged submersion in cold water than do adults. People who are drowning and struggling to breathe are usually unable to call for help. Children who are unable to swim may submerge in less than 1 minute.
Adults may struggle longer. People who are rescued may have a wide range of symptoms and findings. Some are only mildly anxious, whereas others are near death. They may be alert, drowsy, or unconscious.
Some people may not be breathing. People who are breathing may gasp for breath or vomit, cough, or wheeze. The skin may appear blue cyanosis Cyanosis Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from an inadequate amount of oxygen in the blood.
Cyanosis occurs when oxygen-depleted deoxygenated blood, which is bluish rather than In some cases, respiratory problems may not become evident for several hours after submersion. Some people who are revived after prolonged submersion have permanent brain damage because of the lack of oxygen. People who inhale foreign particles may develop secondary drowning, with aspiration pneumonia Aspiration Pneumonia and Chemical Pneumonitis Aspiration pneumonia is lung infection caused by inhaling mouth secretions, stomach contents, or both.
Chemical pneumonitis is lung irritation caused by inhalation of substances irritating or Such difficulty breathing may not become severe or even apparent until hours after being removed from the water.
People who drown in cold water often have hypothermia Hypothermia Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature.
Doctors diagnose drowning based on the events and the symptoms. Measurement of the level of oxygen in the blood and chest x-rays help reveal the extent of lung damage. Body temperature is measured to check for hypothermia. Other tests, such as x-rays and computed tomography CT , may be done to diagnose head injuries Overview of Head Injuries Head injuries that involve the brain are particularly concerning.
An electrocardiogram ECG and sometimes blood tests may be done to diagnose disorders that may have contributed to drowning. For example, certain previously unrecognized heart arrhythmias can cause unconsciousness while swimming.
People should not use alcohol or drugs before and during swimming, boating even as a passenger , or when supervising children around water. Swimming pools should comply with local laws regarding pool safety, including being adequately fenced, because they are one of the most common sites of drowning accidents.
In addition, all doors and gates leading to the pool area should be locked. Children in or near any body of water, including pools and bathtubs, need constant supervision, regardless of whether flotation devices are used. Ideally, supervision should be at arm's length. Because infants and young children can drown in only a few inches of water, even water-filled containers, such as buckets or ice chests, are hazardous. Adults should remove water from these containers immediately after use.
Small children should wear United States Coast Guard—approved life jackets or personal flotation devices when playing near bodies of water. Air-filled swimming aids and foam toys water wings, noodles, and similar items are not designed to keep swimmers safe and should not be used as substitutes for Coast Guard—approved equipment.
Formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of fatal drowning in children aged 1 to 4 years. Swimming lessons are a good idea for all children. However, even children who have taken swimming lessons should be supervised when they are in or around water. The airway larynx can spasm and close, or water can damage the lungs and keep them from taking in oxygen. In either case, the lungs can't supply oxygen to the body.
This can be deadly. Even a little water in the lungs can cause serious lung problems in the next hours or days. Emergency medical care is critical after a person survives a drowning. Call or other emergency services immediately if a drowning victim has:. Call a doctor now if a recent drowning victim has new breathing problems or signs of a lung infection, such as:.
Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
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