Secondary (Dry) Drowning

Post date: Sep 22, 2012 5:23:33 PM

I was recently asked to give First Aid Treatment to a 91 year old lady who had choked whilst drinking tea. although initially distressed by the episode the lady quickly recovered and her colour and breathing returned to normal. As it was liquid that she had choked I arranged for ambulance attendance to to be on the safe side. The attending Senior Emergency Medical Technician, thought, as I did that all appeared to be well, but couldn't be 100% sure that the casualty hadn't aspirated fluid into her lungs. Transport to hospital was arranged, just to be on the safe side. Whilst at the Huddersfield infirmary, the lady developed symptoms of secondary drowning and over the period of a week 3 litres of fluid (resulting pulmonary oedema) was drained from her chest.