Swimming in summer, beware of "hidden drowning"

Author: Hu Bingjie Zhou Yi Xi'an Medical College

Reviewer: Xiao Xinli, Associate Professor of Xi'an Jiaotong University

In the hot summer, the most refreshing thing is swimming. However, when it comes to the dangers of swimming, many people only know that drowning can cause suffocation, and few people know the dangers of "hidden drowning". So, what is hidden drowning? Let's take a look at an example.

A few days ago, Xinxin pestered her mother to take her to the community swimming pool, where she had a lot of fun.

Figure 1 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

However, a few days later, Xinxin suddenly had shortness of breath and excessive phlegm, but no fever or cough.

Figure 2 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

Xinxin’s mother immediately took her to the hospital for examination.

Figure 3 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

The doctor conducted a careful physical examination of Xinxin and heard moist rales and sputum sounds in his lungs. He was treated for pneumonia for a period of time, but it did not work. The doctor asked about his medical history in detail and learned that Xinxin had gone swimming a few days ago. He thought of "hidden drowning" and immediately gave Xinxin the corresponding treatment, saving his life.

Hidden drowning : refers to water choking into the lungs, affecting the gas exchange of the alveoli and causing pulmonary edema. The patient will experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, sputum, moist rales and sputum sounds. Hidden drowning is often easily overlooked. If it is not diagnosed and treated correctly in time, it may affect the patient's cardiopulmonary function. Therefore, if a child develops suspected "pneumonia" symptoms after swimming, remember to inform the doctor in time when seeking medical treatment that the child has had swimming experience, because at this time, in addition to considering pneumonia, the possibility of hidden drowning should also be considered to avoid serious consequences due to failure to promptly and clearly diagnose and treat.

So, what should you pay attention to when taking your children swimming?

1. Things to note before swimming

Ensure that your child is in good health : Children with certain diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, otitis media, skin diseases and various infectious diseases, as well as children with colds, fever or injuries should not swim.

Warm up before swimming : Do some stretching exercises before swimming to stretch your muscles and joints and adapt your body to the water. Splash cold water on all parts of your body before swimming to adapt your body to the water temperature, prevent cramps, and avoid accidents after swimming.

Do not swim when you are too full or hungry : Pay attention to your child's diet before swimming. It is not advisable to swim on an empty stomach or when you are too full. If you eat too much, the food may compress the trachea and cause suffocation. Swimming consumes a lot of energy. If you are on an empty stomach, it may cause collapse. You can let your child eat some food half an hour before swimming to ensure that he is not hungry or full.

Bring swimming equipment : Prepare swimming equipment as needed before swimming, such as professional swimsuits, swimming caps, floating boards, life buoys, swimming goggles, nose clips, earplugs, etc. Take all protective measures to reduce accidents.

2. Precautions when swimming

Do not swim in places where the water conditions are unknown : Try to swim in a regular swimming pool, check the water depth in advance, and make sure your child can stand up in the water. If you swim outdoors such as in rivers, ponds, and the seaside, you must first understand the local water conditions and do not swim in deep water areas, rapids, dangerous areas, etc.

Parents must supervise the whole process of swimming : When swimming, parents should not let their children out of their sight, and should always observe their children's physical reactions and pay attention to their children's movements. When the following signs of drowning appear, parents would rather make a wrong judgment and take their children out of the water immediately: ① Head in the water, mouth above and below the water surface; ② Eyes are distracted; ③ Eyes are closed; ④ Hair covers the forehead or eyes; ⑤ Body is upright, legs are stiff; ⑥ Movements are like climbing stairs; ⑦ Head tilted back and mouth opened to breathe; ⑧ Hyperventilation or panting; ⑨ Turn over and face down; ⑩ Just swimming without moving, etc.

Avoid playing and fighting in the water : Children are prone to choking when playing and fighting in the water. Parents should observe and ask their children in time whether water has entered their throats, noses or ears. If water has entered the ears, the water should be drained out in time to avoid otitis media.

The swimming time should be appropriate : Children should not swim for too long each time, preferably within 1 hour. Babies have limited physical strength and cannot stay in the water for a long time. The appropriate swimming time is 10 to 15 minutes, and the longest should not exceed 30 minutes.

3. Precautions after swimming

Keep the body dry and avoid colds : After swimming, children should dry their bodies and hair with a bath towel in time to avoid catching colds.

Take a shower in time and change into clean clothes : The water in the swimming pool contains chlorine and other chemicals, as well as some germs. Therefore, you should take a shower as soon as possible after swimming, clean your skin and hair, and change into clean, breathable clothes.

Wash your eyes, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, and clean your ears in time : Wearing swimming goggles can better prevent your eyes from contacting water. After swimming, it is best to rinse your eyes with saline or artificial tears to prevent bacterial infection. When swimming, water often enters the mouth, which may bring in bacteria, so you should brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, and clean your mouth in time after swimming. Wearing waterproof earplugs when swimming can prevent water from entering the ear canal. After swimming, check and clean the water in the ear canal in time to avoid inflammation.

Replenish water in time and take a rest : After swimming, the body loses a certain amount of water and electrolytes, so you need to drink sugar and salt water to replenish them, but don't eat immediately to avoid indigestion and gastrointestinal discomfort. After swimming, you should take a rest, relax your body, and avoid strenuous exercise and excessive fatigue.

The hot summer is the peak season for swimming, but it is also the period when accidents are most likely to happen. Life is not a joke, and while enjoying the cool air, safety issues must be taken seriously!