Mom’s Warning About Swimming in Cold Water Is Important for All Parents
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This mom's post about hypothermia has gone viral with other parents saying they were unaware this could happen.
GettyImages/Michael Edwards
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah ScottA Massachusetts mom shared a scary moment with her family while visiting New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach in an attempt to warn other parents about a potential swimming danger they may be unaware of.In Heather Cassani’s viral Facebook post, she says her family went to the beach and the weather was around high 70s, low 80s. Her 10-year-old son, Declan, seemed fine while playing in the water until he started complaining that something was wrong.“The third time we went down to the water, Declan got out after a few minutes and sat down,” the mom writes. “He said, ‘I don't feel good, I think I'm going to throw up.’” Cassani says she thought that his breakfast was too much combined with the motion of the waves and he just needed to lay down, but the severity of the situation soon became clear. “Declan starts to become disoriented and falls onto a lady sunbathing. I thought he tripped but as he got up he said, ‘Mom, I don't feel good,’” Cassani notes. Declan pulled himself up but immediately fell again. His panicked mom tried to pick him up as a group of ladies—who happened to be in the medical field—rushed over to help, calling lifeguards and 911.Paramedics checked Declan’s vitals and kept him warm, hydrated, and sitting upright. They determined the cause: he was becoming hypothermic from the 52-degree water. Hypothermia, which can happen any time of the year, is defined as a body temperature below 95°F, which is dangerously low.Thankfully, Declan made a full recovery, but the mom is hoping to make other parents aware of this. “Just a warning to those with kids who feel no cold and love the water,” she says. “Just because they can handle it doesn't mean they can handle it.”Through comments on Cassani’s post, it’s clear many other parents did not know about this swimming danger. But experts say it can happen and offer advice on what parents can do.Cold Water Dangers for KidsWater temperature below 70°F is too cold for most people. Experts generally advise water to be between 82°F–86°F for children to swim in, and on the warmer side of this range for babies.Children are more at risk of hypothermia because of a lower level of fat tissue, which can help insulate. “Their smaller bodies have a harder time with thermoregulation, or body temperature regulation,” explains Syeda Amna Husain, MD, a North Carolina-based board-certified pediatrician. More heat escapes through their skin.What's more, there's another phenomenon known as cold water shock which occurs when the skin suddenly hits cold water, says Dr. Amna Husain. “It triggers gasping and hyperventilation when you become immersed in cold water and your vital signs can change which may trigger arrhythmias or cardiac arrest,” she says.Of course, it’s not always easy to know what a body of water’s temperature is. So, parents should keep an eye out to spot any warning signs.Hypothermia SignsThere are a few identifiable symptoms of hypothermia, says Gareth Nye, PhD, senior lecturer in maternal and fetal health at Chester Medical School. These include:ShiveringHaving cold skinSlurred speechConfusion“It is a medical emergency if their skin goes blue or their breathing slows,” says Dr. Nye, adding, “Babies with hypothermia may feel cold to touch and floppy and also be quiet and sleepy compared with what they are usually.”What To Do if You Suspect HypothermiaIf parents spot signs of hypothermia, they should immediately move the child to a warm place and remove any wet clothing. “They need to monitor breathing and circulation,” Dr. Amna Husain advises. “Parents can wrap the child in warm blankets and use hot water bottles or chemical hot packs as well, but want to avoid warming them too quickly.”That means don't place kids in front of a heater or submerge them in warm water. “This can cause shock,” says Dr. Amna Husain. “They should focus on warming their abdomen and trunk first before warming hands and feet.” Parents should seek medical attention if their child is unusually quiet, clumsy, or confused. Dr. Nye further warns that symptoms may not immediately be present in children meaning they often have more severe hypothermia before they seek help.How To Prevent Hypothermia From Cold WaterSo, how can hypothermia be prevented? Dr. Amna Husain recommends parents be wary of very cold water when it comes to swimming. “A child should never swim alone or unsupervised and pay attention to any complaints of feeling cold,” she says. “Allow your child to come out of the water and back into warm clothes.”It’s also important for kids to take breaks from swimming in water—even if they insist they feel fine.Dr. Nye suggests keeping as little skin exposed as possible following swimming and getting dry as soon as possible. He also says it could be helpful to move to a warmer or less breezy environment as wind flow speeds up the loss of body heat. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.
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