Description
Can children experience symptoms of drowning long after being exposed to water?
“Dry drowning” is not a medical term. Symptoms of drowning are often present after the incident and can occur within 8 hours of exposure to water. The term dry drowning only works to increase parental anxiety and may make families miss other diagnoses that can make children sick.
Symptoms of a serious drowning event include: coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, vomiting, pale or blue-appearing skin, being unusually sleepy or irritable, and having little or no interest in playing. Children with these symptoms following a drowning event should seek medical care right away.
Preventing drowning requires layers of protection. These layers include: direct supervision, barriers to prevent a child from reaching the water (such as pool fences and toilet locks), learning CPR, wearing Coast Guard-approved life vests, and swim lessons.
Learn more about drowning and how to prevent it: https://www.chop.edu/pediatric-health-chat/is-dry-drowning-real