Most people who survive drowning go on to have good health and normal lives. Occasionally though, drowning victims can suffer a variety of injuries and delayed symptoms. This is what delayed drowning, or secondary drowning, is. It’s a complication that occurs after the initial drowning incident. It causes pulmonary edema, which is a fancy medical term to describe when water gets into the lungs. When enough water gets into the lungs, the lungs’ lining can become inflamed, and the person will struggle to get enough oxygen even if they’re no longer actively drowning in standing water. Without emergency medical care, delayed drowning can lead to death.