Dry Drowning: the Myth that needs to be laid to rest
If your child had a normal, fun time in the water and is behaving normally afterward, there is no reason to worry about delayed drowning.
The Takeaway: Focus on Real Water Safety As parents, nothing is more terrifying than the thought of our children being in danger—especially in the water. With summer swimming lessons and pool days approaching, concerns about water safety naturally increase. However, one fear that continues to resurface, despite being widely debunked by medical professionals, is the idea of "dry drowning." If you’ve ever heard the alarming claims that a child can suddenly stop breathing hours or even days after swimming, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: dry drowning is not a real medical diagnosis, and it is not something parents need to fear.
What Is “Dry Drowning” Supposed to Be?
The term “dry drowning” is often used in viral social media posts and news stories to describe a delayed drowning event, where a child (or adult) experiences fatal respiratory distress long after leaving the water. The idea is that even a small amount of water inhaled into the lungs can lead to sudden, catastrophic breathing failure. Parents are often told to watch for vague symptoms like coughing, lethargy, and vomiting—leading to unnecessary panic and ER visits.
The reality? The medical community does not recognize dry drowning as a legitimate diagnosis. Instead, the correct term for breathing complications caused by water exposure is submersion injury, and it follows a clear, well-documented medical process—not sudden, mysterious respiratory failure hours later.
What the Medical Community Says
Leading experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and emergency physicians, agree that the fear of “dry drowning” is both misleading and unfounded.
Dr. Seth Collings Hawkins, an emergency physician and drowning expert, states: “There is no such medical condition as ‘dry drowning.’ It is not recognized by any major medical organization.” The term has been incorrectly used to describe various forms of drowning-related lung complications, but the science does not support the idea of a child quietly drowning long after being in the water.
What Actually Happens in a Drowning Event?
Drowning is defined as respiratory impairment caused by submersion or immersion in liquid. If someone inhales water, it can cause immediate issues like coughing, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness. However, symptoms occur right away—not hours or days later. If a child is acting completely normal after swimming, they are not at risk of drowning later in their sleep.
The Problem with the “Dry Drowning” Myth
Misinformation about dry drowning creates unnecessary fear and distracts from real drowning prevention efforts. Here’s why this myth is harmful:
It shifts focus away from actual drowning prevention. Instead of worrying about a child who swam hours ago, we should focus on supervising children actively while they are in the water—which is when real drowning incidents occur.
It leads to unnecessary emergency visits. Parents, understandably frightened, rush their children to the ER over symptoms that are normal post-swimming occurrences, like brief coughing or fatigue from an active day.
It spreads fear-based misinformation. Sensationalized news stories and social media posts can spread panic rather than accurate, science-backed education on water safety.
When Should You Be Concerned After a Water Incident?
While dry drowning is a myth, submersion injuries are real and should not be ignored. If a child experiences any of the following immediately after being in the water, seek medical attention:
Persistent coughing or difficulty breathing that does not improve
Unusual drowsiness or inability to stay awake shortly after being rescued
Vomiting multiple times, which can indicate water in the lungs
Blue lips or face, which signals lack of oxygen
Rather than fearing an unproven concept like dry drowning, parents should focus on proven water safety practices:
Supervise children at all times when swimming—drowning happens silently and quickly.
Enroll children in survival swim lessons to teach them water skills.
Learn CPR to be prepared for emergencies.
Educate on proper pool safety (barriers, gates, and designated water watchers).
The best way to keep kids safe is through prevention, not panic. Let’s put the myth of dry drowning to rest and focus on what truly matters: real, evidence-based drowning prevention.