There is a possibility of drowning even after you get out of the pool!

                                     

Okay parents, now let’s get information *in Beyoncé’s voice*. The reason why this might just interest parents is because kids are the most vulnerable due to their cute small bodies, and because they are usually unable to explain what they are experiencing. Hence the job of the parents to be very vigilant after the child gets out of the pool. Now, don’t freak out! It is an extremely, extremely rare situation. They only cause about 2% of drowning. So, pump on the breaks a little.

There is something called ‘Dry drowning’ and another thing called ‘Secondary drowning’ which typically occur up to 24 hours after a child has gotten out of a pool, and has probably even forgotten that they went swimming that day. Both situations occur when the child breathes in water when swimming. In the case of dry drowning, the water does not get to the lungs but instead, causes the vocal chords to become tighter creating difficulty in breathing. For secondary drowning, on the other hand, the airways open up after breathing in the water, and allows the water travel to the lungs and build up there. The end result is the same: can’t breathe, could die.

To prevent dry drowning or secondary drowning, be sure that:

•          there is an expert with them, or you are in there with them,
•         they have floaters on,
•         they are not struggling, because the risk of breathing in water when struggling is high.

And when they are out of the pool, be sure to watch out for signs such as:

•         Coughing, chest pain, or difficulty in breathing as a result of the tightening of the vocal chords, or       water filling the lungs
•        Sudden feeling of EXTREME tiredness, because the brain is not getting enough oxygen  
•        Change in behavior, such as, crankiness, irritability, and aggression

If these symptom do not go away, then you need to get the hospital as soon as you can! I know parents can worry, and even decide that their kids would never swim until they are 50 years old, but there is no need for that.  I’ll tell you a story about my mum.

In my SS1 (10^th grade) in high school, I was struck with the plague of itchy boils (chicken pox) and I had to be isolated from the rest of the world, and get treated. This was like a week to the end of the term. So, by the end of the term, I was doing fine, and I went home on vacation with just the scars. My mum, who was far away in another state, immunizing less privileged children, got wind of my predicament, handed over that very important task, and flew down to Lagos to personally treat her baby, all over again! (Mum! really??? I’m fine, seriously!). Anyway, I started a new round of antibiotics, calamine lotion just in case, and some shea butter to make sure my skin remained beautiful. Did she have to? I don’t know, but I know I would never forget the love, and the sacrifice, and what it taught me about being a parent and sometimes worrying too much! I love you Mum and happy birthday!

So, parents, no, you do not have to worry so much. Just be vigilant and do the needful to prevent danger. Stay safe!