A Pale Face After Water Play Is a Warning Sign... Beware of "Dry Drowning"

Can Occur Even When Swallowing Small Amounts of Water
Accounts for About 10-20% of Drowning Patients
Early Symptoms Include Difficulty Breathing and Frequent Coughing

As the peak vacation season arrives, many people head to the beach, valleys, or water parks to escape the heat and enjoy water activities. One thing to be cautious of during this time is 'Dry drowning.'

Young children need to be more careful than adults. Generally, if about 2 to 3 mL of water per kilogram of body weight enters the airway, it becomes dangerous. Since smaller children have smaller bodies, even a smaller amount of water than adults can cause dry drowning. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Typically, drowning refers to death caused by suffocation due to water entering the airway. Dry drowning, however, occurs when a person dies from respiratory distress within 24 hours after coming out of the water. It is a condition where water enters the lungs, preventing oxygen supply, leading to gradual respiratory difficulty, and it happens after water activities.

Dry drowning can occur even if only a small amount of water is swallowed. Even a small quantity of water entering the lungs through the airway can cause bronchial or lung spasms and inflammation in the lungs.

Dry Drowning Accounts for About 10-20% of Drowning Cases

As the peak vacation season arrives, many people head to the beach, valleys, or water parks to escape the heat and enjoy water activities. One thing to be cautious of during this time is "dry drowning." Dry drowning occurs when water enters the lungs, preventing oxygen supply and gradually causing difficulty in breathing, typically after water activities.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Dry drowning is reported to account for about 10-20% of drowning patients. Early symptoms of dry drowning include respiratory distress caused by laryngospasm, difficulty speaking, irritability or frequent coughing, and cyanosis, which is a bluish discoloration of the face.

Dry drowning does not only occur at beaches or water parks. Children under 5 years old have an underdeveloped larynx located in the center of the neck, making it easy for even very small amounts of water to enter the airway during everyday activities such as bathing, so careful observation is necessary.

Young children need to be more cautious than adults. Generally, about 2-3 mL of water per kilogram of body weight entering the airway can be dangerous. Since smaller children have smaller bodies, dry drowning can occur with even smaller amounts of water compared to adults. Among them, children under 5 years old require special attention because they cannot express themselves well and their airways are less developed, making it easier for water to enter the airway.

To prevent dry drowning, it is essential to wear a life jacket when playing in the sea or water parks to avoid inhaling water. Since dry drowning symptoms appear gradually, it is important to carefully monitor for any early signs of dry drowning even after water activities. If left untreated, respiratory distress can lead to death. In fact, in 2017, a 4-year-old boy named Frankie Delgado in Texas, USA, enjoyed swimming but suddenly experienced worsening respiratory distress and died a few days later.

Meanwhile, if symptoms suspected of dry drowning appear, immediately call 119 and go to the emergency room. Maintaining a calm and stable state helps relax the child's muscles while symptoms persist. Most patients recover well if oxygen is supplied to the lungs at the early stage of symptoms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.