The term “dry drowning” sends shivers down any parent’s spine. We’ve been conditioned to believe that drowning happens only when a child is submerged in water, leading us to breathe a sigh of relief once they are back on dry land. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. After hearing several alarming stories, I’ve decided to share our own experience from a couple of years ago.
It was Mother’s Day 2015 when we decided to spend the day at the beach. My son, who hadn’t yet learned to swim, played near the shore with my husband. They jumped over small waves and collected seashells, with my husband holding his hand the entire time. I opted to stay on the sand, enjoying a magazine while watching them have fun. It was a perfect day, likely the best Mother’s Day I had ever experienced.
At one point, I went to the car, and upon my return, I noticed my son was coughing. When I asked what happened, he mentioned that a wave had knocked him over. I inquired if he swallowed any water, to which he replied, “Just a little.” He then dashed off to play again, and I brushed off the incident.
About ten minutes later, as we prepared to head home, I noticed my son’s face was quite red. I assumed it was a sunburn from not applying enough sunscreen—something not uncommon for our fair-skinned family. As we drove down the highway, he began to express extreme exhaustion, struggling to keep his eyes open. His cries indicated he was in distress over fighting sleep, which was unusual for him; he typically dozed off anywhere, even with a chip in his mouth at a restaurant.
As we continued driving, his behavior grew more concerning. He started talking incoherently, recalling absurd stories from two years prior and mentioning things that weren’t there. Panic set in, and I urged my husband to find a hospital immediately; I feared something was terribly wrong. I started to Google “dry drowning” and couldn’t fathom how this could happen to him after only swallowing a small amount of water.
My husband attempted to reassure me, suggesting he was just tired or possibly overheated. While these were valid points, my instincts told me otherwise. We needed to go to the emergency room. A mother’s intuition is powerful, and I wasn’t willing to take any risks.
The drive to find an ER felt interminable. I did everything I could to keep my son awake. Eventually, we found a freestanding ER and rushed him inside. The doctor examined him immediately, revealing a 105-degree fever and low oxygen levels. A chest X-ray showed fluid in his lungs. The doctor was perplexed by how quickly he had become so ill.
They began treating him with fever reducers, breathing treatments, and supplemental oxygen. Thankfully, he started to show improvement within half an hour and was kept for observation. The diagnosis was fluid in the lungs due to water inhalation, leading to an inflammatory response known as “secondary drowning.” The doctor mentioned that had I waited longer to bring him in, the outcome could have been dire.
By the time we left the ER, my son was back to his cheerful self, but I spent the entire night watching him sleep, ensuring he was breathing normally. This experience was terrifying and still lingers in my mind, yet I know that many children swallow water without incident. My son, in fact, swallowed a significant amount of water just yesterday and continued playing as if nothing had happened.
“Secondary drowning” occurs when even a small amount of water enters the lungs, hindering their ability to oxygenate the blood. Often, the body resolves the issue on its own without you even knowing, but sometimes it can escalate drastically. I’m not a medical professional, but I believe it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with this condition, just as we should all stay informed about other health issues.
The whole episode felt surreal, happening so rapidly. I’m truly grateful I acted when I did, as the unknown can be frightening. A visit to the ER is inconvenient, but peace of mind is priceless, and I’d rather be labeled overprotective than risk my child’s health.
With this experience, I’m now more vigilant about my son in the water. While I used to watch him closely, my anxiety has heightened. He has plenty of time to explore independently as he grows, but for now, I will be there to keep an eye on him. I believe incidents like these are rare, but diligence is essential when it comes to our children’s safety. Always trust your instincts and stay informed.
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Summary
Our Mother’s Day beach outing turned into a terrifying ordeal when my son experienced secondary drowning. Despite minimal water consumption, he developed severe symptoms, leading us to the ER. Quick action and awareness saved his life. It’s crucial to stay informed about potential risks and trust your instincts when it comes to your child’s health.