You can swim all year, indoors or out, but drowning is always risky. Children under 5 years old are at greatest risk of drowning from accidents. It’s not difficult to spot someone in trouble in the water. Most people know the signs of drowning when someone’s pulled out of the water. They don’t realize that drowning signs are not always obvious and that someone could drown even if they have been pulled out of the water alive. Secondary drowning, also known as dry drowning or drowning can occur up to 24 hours after someone is in trouble in the water. However, it’s very rare and only about 1-2% percent of drowning cases.Most people think that drowning means immediate death. However, they don’t realize that water inhaled into the lungs may cause other complications. Anyone who has been submerged in water and had difficulty breathing is actually drowning. A person who is submerged in water for an extended period of time, and suffers respiratory distress due to not being able acquire enough oxygen, is known as drowning. Unexpectedly being submerged in water can cause someone to lose consciousness within a matter of minutes to one minute. It doesn’t matter if they have water in their lungs, drowning can happen regardless. The critical issue is that they aren’t able to get enough oxygen.A range of harm can be described as “drowning” which includes no serious trauma, long-lasting injury, and severe harm. This can include brain damage, death, and brain damage. Secondary drowning is a stage of this spectrum, and can prove fatal. Also, drowning does not always happen the way it is shown in movies. People in distress tend to not shout for help in real life. And drowning can occur very quickly. A lot of the circumstances surrounding drowning, including shock and cold water, can make a person completely helpless and silent.A person can become conscious when they are pulled from the water. They may experience a lot of coughing and spluttering, but only a few people will develop serious symptoms. Secondary drowning occurs when water causes a condition known as a laryngospasm. This is when the larynx becomes irritated and airways become narrowed. Neurogenic pulmonary oedema, also known as laryngospasm, can occur within the body. This causes the heart to contract and the lungs to become more pressured. It also prevents oxygen absorption to sustain life. Untreated, this condition can cause rapid deterioration and even death.It is easy to identify the signs of laryngospasm. Children will make a high-pitched noise when they attempt to breathe. They may also gasp and cough as they try more air into their lungs. You may notice a change in their moods, such as drowsiness or incontinence. These signs are usually apparent within minutes of rescue, but in rare cases there may be up to 24 hours delay. It is important to seek emergency medical help immediately after symptoms become apparent.Medical professionals can help with laryngospasm by placing a mask on the patient to inject oxygen into their lungs. They may also prescribe a drug to prevent the muscles from blocking their airway. As a last resort they can use Larson’s maneuver to open the vocal chords by manipulating the jaw.Another danger for casualties who are rescued from water is that the water can wash away the surfactant (coating) on the inside of their lungs. This can make it difficult for oxygen to be absorbed into the lungs. In some cases, this can prove fatal.Emergency treatment should be sought for anyone who coughs or splutters for longer than two minutes after being rescued. To prevent complications from developing, this may include the above-mentioned steps as well as up to six hours of observation. Rarely, patients may rapidly deteriorate and need to be placed on a ventilator in order to prevent brain damage or death. Sometimes, patients may require oxygen for a few days to allow their lungs to heal.Because oxygen is depleted in both of these cases, the effects of surfactant damage are similar to those of laryngospasm. Both can be avoided. Symptoms of drowning can often be seen immediately after the casualty has been rescued from water.Parents should take precautions to protect their children from drowning and swimming injuries. It is better to prevent than treat an emergency. This includes not allowing children to swim in unsupervised pools, keeping an eye on young swimmers and supervising them when they are swimming. Parents can arrange for a buddy to swim with the children while they are learning. The buddy chosen will be there to look after the younger children and ensure they don’t get in trouble.
WHAT IS SECONDARY DROWNING?
