Secondary Drowning

The words secondary drowning kept popping out at me from several online news sources so I finally succumbed to reading to find out what it’s all about. The good news is that it’s not always fatal, though it can be. For some reason the word drowning always suggests a fatal or near fatal experience to me. Nevertheless, here is the definition of secondary drowning. Nonfatal or "secondary drowning" occurs when there has been an event (the child goes under and has to be pulled out or rescued) in the water and the child appears to have recovered and has been fine for a time. It is very rare, and is actually a pneumonia-like condition. Some water (from the pool or where ever the child has been rescued from) remains in the child’s lungs and insidiously creates breathing problems that can lead to death well after the “event.” This is why after a near drowning event it is a good idea to watch your child carefully and even consider getting them checked out at the ER. The parent sharing this info stated that the secondary drowning started with a later round of coughing and a distinct difference in her child’s behavior and activity level. Other things to watch for are labored breathing or shortness of breath that isn't always easily observed in youngsters. Interestingly, on a side note, a child can aspirate a peanut or particle of food (breath something into a lung while choking on something they are eating) and once lodged there, the body produces fluid in the lung around the object just like in secondary drowning. Basically secondary drowning isn't only second to a first near drowning. As the grandparent of an asthmatic grandchild I am always on the alert for chest tightness and shallow breathing issues so I hope I would recognize the signs of secondary drowning.

On another side note, I recently took my husband’s potcake out into the water for a swimming lesson at the beach and after going under at first she managed to doggie paddle to where the water was shallow enough for her to stand. The event didn’t slow her activity level in the slightest when we got back up on the beach either so I figure dogs (at least this one) aren't candidates for secondary drowning.

Despite the side note about the pup, secondary drowning isn't something to take lightly. The best defense is to keep a close eye on your child but even when you do they can slip under in an instant so the next best thing is to be alert for the signs of secondary drowning even after you fish them out and think they're in the clear.