This case of the death of a 10 year old boy happened in South Carolina. The tragic case of this death was a wake-up call for parents because the cause was a phenomenon called “dry drowning”. This is why we wanted to inform you about this case and the warning signs of this phenomenon that every parent should know about.
The unusual thing about the case is that even though the boy drowned he was able to walk, talk and speak even though his lungs were filled with water. The name of the boy was Johnny and his mother’s name is Jackson. Jackson took her son to a pool near their home in Goose Creek, South Carolina. While swimming, Johnny got water in his lungs but he did not show any signs of respiratory distress at first. Everything seemed just fine so he, his mother and his sister walked home from the pool. Jackson gave her son a bath and he went to sleep because he was feeling tired.
When his mother went to check on him in his room he saw that Johnny’s face was covered in white spongy material. She immediately took him to the hospital but, unfortunately it was already too late. The little boy drowned long after swimming in the pool.
Dry drowning and warning signs that every parent must know
Dry drowning is extremely rare phenomenon that can occur up to 24 hour after inhaling small amount of water. In children it can happen even during a bath. Dr. Daniel Rauch, who is a pediatrician, says that these are the warning signs that parents should keep an eye on.
Johnny showed some signs which were very hard to interpret and are usually overlooked. The symptoms of dry drowning include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme tiredness
- Changes in behavior
These signs are caused by reduced oxygen supply to the brain. Doctors don’t know much about this rare phenomenon however it is certain that even small amounts of water in the lungs can cause delayed-reaction.
This is why it is very important to learn the symptoms in order to react on time. Going to the emergency room as soon as you notice the symptoms can save a life. A patient who has experienced dry drowning gets a breathing tube inserted in his esophagus in order to get more oxygen in the lungs.