Another danger in drowning accidents is secondary drowning. This is an extremely rare complication that may occur after swimming when water is inhaled into the lungs. This inhaled water can cause irritation and inflammation, which makes it difficult to breathe. In an attempt to help, the body may then send fluids from other areas of the body into the lungs, which only ends up making the situation worse. Secondary drowning can lead to cardiac arrest or death, and it can happen anywhere from a few minutes to a few days after water first got into the lungs. Secondary drowning can even occur if a person did not have a near-drowning accident and was simply swimming and inhaled water. It is important to note again, however, that this is an extremely rare condition.