I always though real drowning victims are like those shown in the movies, flailing their arms and shouting for help. Instead they stay quiet as they are struggling to breathe. Also this is the first time I heard of dry, water and delayed drowning. So what exactly are these 3 types of drowning.
In dry drowning, water reaches the voice box and triggers laryngospasm which completely closes the airway. The person is unable to breathe air in and gets asphyxiated.
In wet drowning, the laryngospasm is only partial, so water enters the lungs and renders them incapable of performing their function of oxygenating the blood.
In both dry and wet drowning cases, the person ultimately dies from a lack of oxygen.
Delayed drowning, or secondary drowning, may occur to near-drowning victims within 8 hours after they have been rescued, due to a small amount of water remaining in the lungs. The resultant pulmonary oedema can lead to pulmonary failure and death.
Delayed drowning may not show symptoms, so you should always see a doctor to be safe. Possible symptoms of delayed downing, if any, may include the following:
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing / shortness of breath
- Shallow breathing
- Extreme fatigue
“Always seek emergency care even if the person appears fine after having been rescued from drowning. There is a risk of delayed drowning and even in the well looking person, there is a need for assessment and observation,” says Dr Wee.
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