DRY DROWNING Kills Misssouri child

Recently a child in Missouri drown hours after being out of the water. Apparently the boy swallowed some water while in the pool and soiled himself as a result of swallowing the water. Although not all that different from many childhood swimming experiences, this swallowed water and up killing the boy hours later.

The phenomina is called "DRY DROWNING" This is when water is ingested and makes its way into the lungs. When there, it damages some tissue and makes it difficult to breath. For some reason, the water is not expelled and the person drowns.

Here is some more information on Dry Drowning

You can still die from a near-drowning event hours after leaving a pool

The problem is not when you swallow water, but when you get it into your lungs...some people drown on the spot, but you can technically be a drowning victim, 24 hours out of the water.

Sunshine and 95-degree temperatures are keeping things busy at local pools. At the Family Y, lifeguards are trying to keep all the little fish safe in the water.

First things first: if you see someone having trouble, fighting to keep their head above water...

Claudia Collins, Augusta Family Y Lifeguard Instructor: "Get them out of the water, get them calmed down, get them able to breathe well, and not have any problems."

If you do notice breathing problems, be aware. Just because they didn't drown, doesn't mean they're out of danger.

Claudia Collins: "If a child has an event while they're in the water, they're gasping, coughing, difficulty breathing, they tell you they're short of breath, that's probably somebody that's aspirated water."

Even then, the child could be okay, but after what's called a near-drowning event, pay close attention to the child.

Dr. James Wilde, MCG Emergency Medecine: "If the child's complaining of difficulty breathing as you're going home, being sleepy...those are the symptoms of a near-drowning. That patient needs to be taken right to the hospital. That person needs to be monitored and may need to be put on a ventilator in case their breathing gets worse."

Dr. James Wilde says parents should not think swallowing a bunch of water is going to harm their child in the same way as a near-drowning event...which can be fatal hours after the child leaves the water.

Dr. Wilde: "Initial drowning event damages the lungs and then, in response, the lungs fill up with fluid and that's what event can kill you if you don't get medical attention."

Dr. Wilde has treated a patient before who was the victim of a near-drowning, and initially checked out okay. But, 2 hours later, still at the hospital, her condition drastically dropped. She survived, but without that medical treatment, could have become a drowning victim, herself.

Dehydrating in the water is more common during the summer...sounds unlikely, but experts say you lose 6 ounces of water every hour you're in the water.