You’d never leave a child unsupervised in a pool or a bathtub, but “secondary drowning” is a potentially fatal condition that can affect children up to 24 hours after leaving the water.
In 2008, a 10-year-old boy died in his home hours after swimming at a local pool where it’s believed water got into his lungs.
He told his mom he was tired, so she left him to take a nap. When she returned to check on her son, he had tragically passed away in his sleep.
“I’ve never know a child could walk around, talk, speak and their lungs be filled with water,” said the boy’s mother.
Barbara Byers of Canada’s Lifesaving Society says, “A child can die 24 hours later after they’ve been in the water. The one you have to keep an eye on are the kids who go under, inhaling and coughing up water in the process.”
Even inhaling very small amounts of water can irritate the lungs and lead to more fluid building up, causing suffocation as the lungs struggle for air.
“It’s a very rare occurrence,” adds Byers, “In 95% of cases they’re fine.”
Children under five are especially at risk, and Byers recommends parents watch out for kids with difficulty breathing, extreme (or unusual) tiredness, persistent coughing, and chest discomfort after being in the water.
But above all, prevention is key; “Don’t assume because a child can swim they need less supervision. Things can happen,” warns Byers.
And, if a child exhibits any of the above symptoms, take them to a doctor or the emergency room immediately. Medical professionals will listen for water in the lungs and treat the child accordingly.
“Keep young children within arm’s reach. Watch them all the time and don’t be distracted. Drowning is silent. When fluid gets into the respiratory area, they can’t scream, they can’t shout.”
You can find out more at the Lifesaving Society website.