The death of a four year old boy on June 3, 2017 in Texas was all over the news. The reason being that his lungs had been filed with fluid, six days after a swimming trip with his family and it was too late for medical personnel to save his life at the ti
The death of a four year old boy on June 3, 2017 in Texas was all over the news. The reason being that his lungs had been filed with fluid, six days after a swimming trip with his family and it was too late for medical personnel to save his life at the time he was rushed to the hospital.
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Just a week after this incident, a couple managed to save their two year old son, Houston, from falling victim to this dry drowning condition after reading about it on the internet.
Martin Luther King Jr. was right when he pointed out that “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity” oblivion to information, especially one that may lead to death if not properly handled, is quite deadly. Chinese pools and beaches are bound to receive an uncountable number of people, as they are popularly known to do in this season. Thus, it is very important that before a trip to these packed pools and beaches during this summer, you must have guarded yourself, and especially your children, against health conditions like this.
What Is Dry Drowning?
This rare medical condition known as dry drowning is one that kills children, especially and is caused by an inhalation or swallowing of water into the lungs of the body. Swallowing even a small amount of water into the lungs is grave and can lead to death within 24 hours after incident. Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician, Dr. Lawrence Bedsole, describes the condition as “”The contact of the water, or any liquid, with the vocal chords, and the voice box and larynx, which causes a spasm. Because of that spasm, you have the inability to exchange oxygen which leads to low oxygen, increased metabolic disturbances and the same effects as a wet drowning,”
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Dry drowning may also bear some symptoms of wet drowning such as coughing, difficulty in breathing, paleness, tiredness, headache, chest pain and stomach upset.
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Although it is a rare occurrence, it is certainly one that many hospitality centers are bound to experience once or twice per year, often in the hot weather season.
How Do I Protect Myself And My Family From Dry Drowning?
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Swimming is the most popular summer activity so the best thing to do to keep your family safe is to enroll in age appropriate swim lessons. During your swimming trips, it is very important to keep a very close eye on your children whilst they are in the water body. Never trust your child’s life to another child. Teach your kids to always seek permission before going close to any water body. Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
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Practice water safety. First off, swim in designated areas, if possible, under the supervision of a lifeguard. Try not to stay under water for so long either.
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It is not advisable to swim alone, even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach. Always swim with a buddy. Do not allow others to swim alone either.
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Use inflatable toys as well as life jackets on your family if possible, to keep you afloat on the water.
Prevention and Emergency Situations
There have been cases where dry drowning occurred without having contact with a pool or large water body. Only a small amount of water in the lungs is required to turn one into carcass. In accidental situations at even home, observe carefully, any negative incidents with water. Observation and identification of the cause of the problem is very crucial.
After a swimming trip, never take health complaints lightly. Similarly, when you begin to feel uncomfortable, take good note of these symptoms. Difficult breathing, painful breathing or shallow breathing are all red flags that indicate that one is at risk for a dry drowning situation.
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Check for persistent cough, pain in chest, discomfort when lying flat, pale skin or signs of poorly oxygenated blood. Once you see such signs, act quickly as dry drowning can be treated once detected early.
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You can find means to supply oxygen to the lungs as a first aid treatment.
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