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When we hear the term “dry drowning,” it sends a chill down our spine. The idea is frightening because we’ve always believed that drowning incidents are characterized by water submersion and immediate rescue efforts. We often think that if our child is out of the water, they’re safe. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Recently, I’ve come across numerous stories surrounding this issue, which prompted me to share my own experience with my son a few years ago.
On Mother’s Day 2015, we decided to spend the day at the beach. My son hadn’t learned to swim yet, so he and my husband were playing close to the shore, leaping over small waves and collecting seashells. My husband held his hand the entire time, never leaving his side. I chose to stay on the sand, enjoying the sun and reading a magazine. It was one of those days that was simply perfect—perhaps my best Mother’s Day yet.
I remember stepping away to grab something from the car. Upon returning, I noticed my son was coughing. When I asked what happened, he said a little wave had knocked him over. I inquired if he swallowed any water, to which he replied, “Just a little.” He then dashed off to continue playing, and I didn’t think much of it.
About ten minutes later, as we began loading the car, I noticed my son’s face was unusually red. I thought it was just sunburn from insufficient sunscreen—something not uncommon for our fair-skinned family.
Once we hit the interstate, my son started to mention how tired he felt and how he could barely keep his eyes open. He was practically screaming, struggling against sleep as if it were painful. This was odd behavior for him, as he typically falls asleep without issue, even with a chip in his mouth at restaurants.
As we drove, his disorientation escalated. He began speaking nonsense, reminiscing about events from two years prior and claiming to see things that weren’t there. Panic set in. I urged my husband to find a hospital immediately; something didn’t feel right. I remembered reading about “dry drowning” a while back and my heart raced at the thought.
How could this be happening? He had only swallowed a bit of water. Nothing added up. He had been perfectly fine just an hour ago, and now he was gravely ill. My husband, ever the rational one, suggested he might just be overly tired or overheated. While those were valid points, I knew something was amiss. I wouldn’t dismiss my instincts. We were headed to the ER.
The drive to the nearest hospital felt interminable. I did everything I could to keep my son awake and alert. When we finally arrived at a stand-alone ER, we rushed him inside. The doctor examined him and revealed that my son had a 105-degree fever and reduced oxygen levels. A chest X-ray showed fluid in his lungs. The doctor was bewildered by how quickly he had become so sick.
They started treating him immediately—administering fever reducers, breathing treatments, and supplemental oxygen. Thankfully, he began to improve within half an hour and was kept for observation for a few hours. The diagnosis was fluid in his lungs due to water inhalation, leading to an inflammatory response known as “secondary drowning.” The doctor remarked that it was uncertain what might have happened had I not brought him in.
By the time we left the ER, he had returned to his cheerful self, yet I spent the night vigilantly watching him sleep, ensuring he was breathing. The entire ordeal was terrifying and still lingers in my mind. However, I want to emphasize that most kids swallow water frequently without complications. In fact, just yesterday, my son swallowed a significant amount of water, and he carried on as if nothing happened.
“Secondary drowning” occurs when a small quantity of water enters the lungs, impairing their ability to oxygenate blood. In many cases, the water clears on its own without any noticeable symptoms, but sometimes the situation can worsen.
I’m not a medical expert, but I can share our experience and what led to my son’s diagnosis. There are numerous resources available to learn more about secondary drowning, including symptoms to monitor in your children. It’s wise to arm ourselves with this knowledge.
Reflecting on that day, it’s surreal how quickly things escalated. I’m grateful I acted when I did, as the unknown in these situations is too frightening to contemplate. A visit to the ER may be inconvenient, but the peace of mind it brings is invaluable. I’m willing to risk appearing overly cautious for my child’s safety.
Now, I’m much more vigilant when my son is in the water. Though I’ve always kept a close eye on him, I’ve heightened my awareness. While I may become more relaxed as he matures, for now, he’ll have to cope with his hovering mother. Incidents like ours are rare, but it’s essential to remain diligent in supervising our children and assessing their symptoms.
And always trust your instincts.
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Summary
This blog post recounts a terrifying experience of secondary drowning that a mother and her son faced during a seemingly perfect day at the beach. The author emphasizes the importance of vigilance around water activities, sharing valuable insights on signs to watch for and the necessity of trusting one’s instincts. With resources provided for further learning, this narrative serves as a reminder for parents to stay informed and attentive.