During the summer months, people spend more time in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. You may watch your children closely in the water to ensure they remain safe and don’t drown. But, it’s important to know that there is still a potential for danger, even after your child gets out of the water. Below, we discuss more about delayed drowning.
Symptoms and Prevention of Delayed Drowning
Dry drowning occurs when a person takes in a small amount of water through their mouth or nose, causing water to get into their airway. This causes the airway to spasm and close up, making it difficult or impossible for the child to breathe. It will often occur soon after a near-drowning incident, and most cases of dry drowning involve infants and young children.
Similar to dry drowning, secondary drowning is another post-immersion respiratory syndrome that occurs when water gets into a person’s lungs, resulting in irritation, inflammation, or swelling. At this point, the lungs start to fill with fluid, causing a condition known as pulmonary edema.
While dry drowning and secondary drowning are different conditions, both result from water complications and can be fatal. With that said, make sure to look out for these signs of drowning complications, especially in babies, toddlers, and children:
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Difficult breathing
- Sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Forgetfulness
- Change in behaviors
Always Seek Medical Attention After a Near-Drowning
Any child that is pulled from the pool due to a near-drowning should get medical treatment immediately to ensure there is no water in the child’s lungs or airway. At the very least, parents should call the child’s pediatrician to determine whether emergency medical treatment is needed.
At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our legal team is dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been injured due to another person’s negligence. If your child was involved in a drowning accident because of negligent supervision, our Fresno personal injury attorneys will review your case for free to determine whether you have legal grounds to file a claim.
We will stop at nothing to protect you and your family. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at at your earliest convenience.