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Type in dry drowning on Facebook and there are close to 40 000 people talking about the topic. It’s enough to scare any parent, but it’s a dated term that doctors say doesn’t exist.

“Dry drowning doesn’t actually exist. It’s a misconception. There is just drowning.” Dr. April Kam.

Hamilton health sciences did a study looking back over 10 years of drownings involving children. Not one of them was from what’s be dubbed dry drowning but because of all of the hype on social media parents are worried and they are bringing their children to emergency rooms.

Dr. Kam says it’s obvious when a child has inhaled too much water and is having trouble breathing.
“If they are persistently coughing and are laboring to breath then obviously you should bring them to the hospital.”

She tells concerned parents that if your child never stopped breathing they will be fine, but ultimately knowing water safety is key.