Drowning is the number one cause of death in children one to four years of age in the U.S., and a major risk for older children as well. Inaccurate information can distract from proper prevention, recognition and treatment. So let’s review the facts.
What is drowning?
Drowning occurs when water gets in the way of normal breathing, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen. This can happen quickly (in under 30 seconds) and silently; most kids do not scream and splash like in the movies. If we recognize drowning and intervene quickly, we can help a child before breathing issues lead to organ failure and death.
Drowning can happen in either salt or fresh water, or any kind of liquid. And it doesn’t just occur in oceans, lakes and pools; young children have drowned in bathtubs, buckets, and even toilets. All it takes is a few inches of water.
Why is “dry drowning” a myth?
Every summer, viral headlines resurface the misleading belief that a child can suddenly die days after a normal swim from water hidden in their lungs. Drowning by definition requires breathing issues caused by water. Since oxygen is necessary for life, the body does not wait days before telling you that something is wrong.
Why does it matter?
Terms like “dry drowning” create anxiety about letting children enjoy the water. They also generate false expectations about the need for long-term vigilance after swimming.
What are the symptoms of drowning?
Look for coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, vomiting, pale or blue-appearing skin, or being unusually sleepy, irritable or less interested in playing. These symptoms occur because of the body’s natural response to drowning; the body tries to clear water from the windpipe and lungs through protective reflexes like coughing before critical organs like the heart and brain suffer from a lack of oxygen. Children who develop concerning symptoms should be promptly evaluated by a medical professional.
How long should I monitor my child after playing in the water?
Multiple studies of drowning events have shown symptoms occur immediately or shortly after water exposure – usually within eight hours. If water reaches the lungs, it can trigger inflammation that may take several hours to become apparent. A child who is acting like their normal self is unlikely to develop symptoms from drowning beyond this initial period.
If a child gets sick days after playing in the water, they haven't drowned, but they still need to be seen by a healthcare professional to be evaluated for other serious conditions.
How can we prevent drowning?
Using multiple layers of protection can greatly reduce the risk of drowning:
- Swim lessons – kids should begin swim lessons after their first birthday; supervising adults should know how to swim too
- Properly fitted life jackets – children should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets; inflatable aids like “floaties” are not safe substitutes
- Four-sided pool fencing with a self-latching gate – barriers should be a minimum of four feet high; avoid horizontal bars, chain links, or nearby patio furniture children could use to climb over the fence
- Close supervision - even with a lifeguard present, adults should always closely supervise infants, toddlers and noncompetent swimmers when near water; stay within arm’s reach and avoid distractions like phones, socializing or alcohol
- Emergency preparedness - swift action can help limit long-term consequences; parents, caregivers and pool owners should be CPR-trained in case of emergency
What are we still learning?
While we've learned a great deal about drowning prevention and treatment, we still have much to understand. Researchers continue to study why some drowning victims recover quickly while others develop more severe lung injury; how best to predict outcomes after drowning; and which treatments most effectively improve recovery.
References
- Drowning (submersion injuries) | UpToDate
- Prevention of Drowning | AAP
- Drowning | PubMed
- Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning | National Drowning Prevention Alliance
- Drowning Prevention & Facts | American Red Cross
- Water Safety | CHOP
Drowning is the number one cause of death in children one to four years of age in the U.S., and a major risk for older children as well. Inaccurate information can distract from proper prevention, recognition and treatment. So let’s review the facts.
What is drowning?
Drowning occurs when water gets in the way of normal breathing, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen. This can happen quickly (in under 30 seconds) and silently; most kids do not scream and splash like in the movies. If we recognize drowning and intervene quickly, we can help a child before breathing issues lead to organ failure and death.
Drowning can happen in either salt or fresh water, or any kind of liquid. And it doesn’t just occur in oceans, lakes and pools; young children have drowned in bathtubs, buckets, and even toilets. All it takes is a few inches of water.
Why is “dry drowning” a myth?
Every summer, viral headlines resurface the misleading belief that a child can suddenly die days after a normal swim from water hidden in their lungs. Drowning by definition requires breathing issues caused by water. Since oxygen is necessary for life, the body does not wait days before telling you that something is wrong.
Why does it matter?
Terms like “dry drowning” create anxiety about letting children enjoy the water. They also generate false expectations about the need for long-term vigilance after swimming.
What are the symptoms of drowning?
Look for coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, vomiting, pale or blue-appearing skin, or being unusually sleepy, irritable or less interested in playing. These symptoms occur because of the body’s natural response to drowning; the body tries to clear water from the windpipe and lungs through protective reflexes like coughing before critical organs like the heart and brain suffer from a lack of oxygen. Children who develop concerning symptoms should be promptly evaluated by a medical professional.
How long should I monitor my child after playing in the water?
Multiple studies of drowning events have shown symptoms occur immediately or shortly after water exposure – usually within eight hours. If water reaches the lungs, it can trigger inflammation that may take several hours to become apparent. A child who is acting like their normal self is unlikely to develop symptoms from drowning beyond this initial period.
If a child gets sick days after playing in the water, they haven't drowned, but they still need to be seen by a healthcare professional to be evaluated for other serious conditions.
How can we prevent drowning?
Using multiple layers of protection can greatly reduce the risk of drowning:
- Swim lessons – kids should begin swim lessons after their first birthday; supervising adults should know how to swim too
- Properly fitted life jackets – children should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets; inflatable aids like “floaties” are not safe substitutes
- Four-sided pool fencing with a self-latching gate – barriers should be a minimum of four feet high; avoid horizontal bars, chain links, or nearby patio furniture children could use to climb over the fence
- Close supervision - even with a lifeguard present, adults should always closely supervise infants, toddlers and noncompetent swimmers when near water; stay within arm’s reach and avoid distractions like phones, socializing or alcohol
- Emergency preparedness - swift action can help limit long-term consequences; parents, caregivers and pool owners should be CPR-trained in case of emergency
What are we still learning?
While we've learned a great deal about drowning prevention and treatment, we still have much to understand. Researchers continue to study why some drowning victims recover quickly while others develop more severe lung injury; how best to predict outcomes after drowning; and which treatments most effectively improve recovery.
References
- Drowning (submersion injuries) | UpToDate
- Prevention of Drowning | AAP
- Drowning | PubMed
- Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning | National Drowning Prevention Alliance
- Drowning Prevention & Facts | American Red Cross
- Water Safety | CHOP
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