Hellobee Boards

I have a serious fear of this. Every time my kids get water in their face, I get nervous. But, a big part of this fear is that the internet lets us know about all the extremely extremely rare times this happens. I was talking to a doctor friend about this recently who was telling me how rare it is and in almost all the cases the children have some sort of (diagnosed or undiagnosed) lung issue that leads to this response.

@Adira: Yes Asthma makes kids more susceptible to this.

If it's any comfort, I talked to the director of emergency services at a major hospital (also in Texas, coincidentally) about dry drowning last year for work. He said that the media coverage of it makes it seem MUCH more common than it is, and it is very rare. Normal drowning is a WAY higher risk, and he even said he worried that coverage of dry drowning takes away much-needed focus from typical drowning. (That part probably isn't comforting...but good to be vigilant I suppose).

This is one of my biggest fears! I know it is pretty rare, but still really scary.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: That wasn't my intention! I've seen it shared everywhere the past couple of days, so you're not alone. Just wanted to relieve some anxiety, because I know it's stressed me out.

These stories always freak me out! But I know it's also rare. Still good to be aware of it though. Poor baby! (I mean if this is the same one I read earlier it's a four year old but still. I can't imagine how confused he must have been..)

I have a friend who is an Emergency room nurse in a Pediatrics hospital, I asked her about this. In the 7 years she has worked there she has yet to see even 1 case of dry drowning. I honestly think it is not something to stress over. Just use common sense and basic safety practices around water.

@bluestriped bee: The linked article by OP wasn't in a pool. It was in a dike.