There is a very strange phenomenon that takes place when a person gulps water during a state of desperation if they fall in the water. This can happen to a child or an adult and the danger is far from over once the person is rescued out of the water. The condition is called dry drowning and it can be fatal. This happens when the respiratory system becomes constrained as the body sends a signal to protect the lungs.
It could be considered a rare malfunction that happens within our bodies. A “mistake” that the body makes while trying to keep water from entering the lungs. Doctors have come to know this strange occurrence as “post-immersion syndrome” and you need to be aware of certain symptoms that could appear as far as 48 hours after the person has been rescued from the water.
Look For These Symptoms
Once the child or adult has been rescued, these are the symptoms to look out for:
• Difficulty speaking or taking a breath
• Persistent coughing
• Low energy
• Sleepiness
• Irritability
• Unusual behavior
• Sudden mood changes
Need Help? Quickly Do This…
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you need to call 911 right away, but you need to stay calm and keep the child calm in order to avoid a stronger spasm, which could shut the windpipes and keep them from transferring air into the lungs. Once medical assistance arrives, the doctors will treat the patient and rule out other common issues that could also be causing the problem.
Avoid Dry Drowning By Doing These Things
There are things you can do in order to prevent dry downing:
• Keep an eye on your children in the bathtub and in any swimming pool.
• Make sure that your children learn how to swim as early as possible.
• Never swim in the ocean without bodyguards in the area.
• Make sure your child always wears a life jacket when riding a boat.
• No child under the age of five should bathe or swim without assistance
Final Thoughts
Dry drowning might sound like something that rarely happens, but there are many victims of this strange syndrome. The best thing to do is to always watch out for the symptoms and take proper precautions to avoid any drowning scenarios.
Thanks for reading this important post. And, if Life Saver Pool Fence Oklahoma can be of any further help to you, please give us a call at (405) 348-4114 or Email Us today!