Deadly drowning! The number one killer of children! How to identify the early signs of drowning?

The World Health Organization's report on drowning shows that about 372,000 people drown every year, more than 40 people every hour, most of whom are under the age of 25. This is shocking. Relevant reports in my country also show that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among adolescents and children, far ahead of road traffic injuries and falls, and can be said to be the "number one killer", especially for children aged 1 to 14.

Why is drowning so dangerous? I guess you must have had the experience of choking when drinking water. Even if you choke on a small mouthful of water, your body will react violently. Once water enters the respiratory tract and the throat is irritated, a coughing reflex will occur, coughing, coughing, and trying to expel the excess water.

This reflex is beyond our control and cannot be stopped whenever we want. So when drowning, it is simply adding fuel to the fire. A cough will open the throat, and more water will invade the respiratory tract and directly pour into the lungs. Unlike the gills of fish, human lungs cannot filter and absorb the low oxygen content in the water, so people will soon be deprived of oxygen and suffocate; the inhaled water will also cause changes in blood osmotic pressure, electrolyte disorders, damage to tissues, and the body's circulation and breathing will fail, and eventually cardiac arrest.

How much water is needed to drown a person? An article once said that only a quarter cup of water entering the lungs is enough to cause a person to drown. We don't know how big a cup it is. The amount of water that stops the lungs from working does vary from person to person. Age, lung capacity, and weight all have an impact, but it certainly doesn't take much.

Another study mentioned that for every 1 kg of weight gain, one milliliter of water is needed to drown. 1 milliliter is just a little bit. But this also makes us understand that drowning is more disadvantageous and more dangerous for children with lighter weight. At the same time, if too much water enters the lungs, even if they are rescued, they may drown on land a few hours later. Delayed pulmonary edema will still cause breathing difficulties and suffocation, resulting in the so-called "secondary drowning."

However, drowning is so dangerous and urgent, but it is not easy to detect. From the time of drowning to the time of disappearing under the water, it only takes 20 to 60 seconds. During this period, unlike what most of us imagine or what is shown in TV dramas, the drowning person basically has no chance to shout for help or wave his arms for help. Because once drowning, the body will sink, and if you open your mouth, you have to drink water. People will instinctively hold their breath. When they float again, they will not have time to take a breath, and they can't open their mouths to call for help. Moreover, once the arms are out of the water, it will accelerate the sinking of the body.

What are the signs of drowning? For example, the mouth is submerged in the water, the child is swimming without moving or standing upright in the water, and the eyes are dull, as if in a daze. Especially if a noisy child in the water suddenly becomes quiet, you must be alert. If you call him and he doesn't respond, you must rescue him immediately. Unless you are an experienced lifeguard, it is difficult to detect in time.

The ancients said that those who are good at water will drown in water. Drowning mostly occurs in open waters in the wild, such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc. Especially those places where the water is vertical, dangerously deep, and prohibited from playing in the water are often complex environments with aquatic plants, whirlpools, rapids, etc. Drowning people are more likely to get tired, cramp, encounter obstacles, and the risk of drowning is higher. However, having said that, there is a risk of drowning in almost all places with water. Even at home, bathtubs, buckets, and washbasins are deadly dangers to children aged 1 to 4, so parents still have to keep an eye on their children.

So if you want to swim, you should go to a regular swimming pool, where there are lifeguards watching. Warm up before entering the water, and it is best to learn basic self-rescue skills. Don't swim in the wild, don't take risks, and don't be too aggressive. When you are playing by the water, be careful not to fall, and it is best to find a companion. In short, whether you are a child or an adult, you must raise awareness of drowning prevention. Whether you are playing alone or watching your children, it is always right to be careful!