In addition to pools or other bodies of water, dry drowning can also occur in bathtubs. If an individual slips under the bath water and takes on too much water, they should be closely examined afterward.
Dry drowning / secondary drowning warning signs
Dry drowning, also known as secondary drowning, is a very serious condition that can occur after a person has been in the water. In children and adults, dry drowning occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs after a person breathes in water. If left untreated, the consequences can be extremely serious.
Parents and caregivers are on high alert for dry drowning or secondary drowning in the summer months, as more people are in pools than at any other time. Children are of most concern when it comes to the impact of dry drowning, but the elderly and mentally handicapped should also be monitored closely for symptoms as well.
These are some warning signs to look out for in your loved ones after they come up coughing from going under water in a pool or bathtub. If you notice any of these warning signs in your child or elderly loved one, seek medical help immediately.