Dry Drowning: causes, symptoms, prevention

Drowning is the second leading cause of death among young children to 14 years old.[br /][br /]However, dry drowning is very rare, and only accounts for less than 2% of drowning incidents.[br /][Ads /][br /]According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for every child who dies from drowning, five more children go to the emergency department for nonfatal submersion injuries.[br /][br /][b]RELATED: [url HREF="http://abc7news.com/health/dad-saves-2-year-old-son-after-texas-city-tragedy/2076444/" TARGET="" REL=""]Dad saves 2-year-old son after Texas city tragedy[/url][/b][br /][br /]Dry drowning happens when a child inhales water into the lungs. Vocal cords can spasm, causing breathing problems. Symptoms start to show once the victim is out of the water, between 1-24 hours after water exposure.[br /][br /]Symptoms may include: distressful breathing, consistent coughing, vomiting, sleepiness, forgetfulness, and unusual behavior.[br /][br /]Both adults and children can fall victim to dry drowning, but it is more common in young kids because their bodies are much smaller.[br /][br /][b]RELATED: [url HREF="http://abc7news.com/health/childs-death-in-texas-serves-as-warning-about-dry-drowning/2071034/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Dad saves 2-year-old son after seeing story on Texas tragedy[/url].[/b][br /][br /]Drowning can occur in any types of water, including: small plastic pools, ponds, bathtubs, and toilet bowls.[br /][Ads /][br /]Prevention includes swim lessons, supervision, and basic water safety.[br /][br /]The term "dry drowning" has made national headlines recently, after a 4-year-old Texas boy, Frankie Delgado, died after swimming in a dike over Memorial Day weekend[/url].[br /][br /]Frankie's family wanted their son's death to be an important warning for parents. Staff Sgt. Garon Vega, a Colorado father, says he saw Frankie's story and saw that his own son was experiencing similar symptoms. Vega took his two-year-old son, Gio, to the emergency department. Vega said a doctor told him his son would not have made it through the night if he had not brought him to the hospital.[br /][br /]If you believe your child is experiencing symptoms of dry drowning, get them to the emergency department immediately.