Salt water aspiration syndrome

Salt water aspiration syndrome is a rare diving disorder suffered by scuba divers who inhale a mist of seawater from a faulty demand valve causing irritation of the lungs. It is not the same thing as aspiration of salt water as a bulk liquid, i.e. drowning.^[1]^[2] It can be treated by rest for several hours. If severe, medical assessment is required.

Symptoms

Symptoms of salt water aspiration syndrome include:^[2]

Post-dive cough, with or without sputum, usually suppressed during the dive.
- In serious cases the sputum may be bloodstained, frothy and copious.
Over time further symptoms may develop, including:
- rigors, tremors or shivering;
- nausea or vomiting;
- hot or cold sensations;
- dyspnea; cough; sputum; shortness of breath;
- headaches; malaise; and generalised aches.
- Cyanosis
- Mild fever

Diagnosis

Treatment

References

↑ Edmonds C (September 1970). "A salt water aspiration syndrome". Mil Med. 135 (9): 779–85. doi:10.1093/milmed/135.9.779. PMID 4991232.
1 2 Edmonds, C. (1998). "Drowning syndromes: the mechanism". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal. 28 (1). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. Archived from the original on 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2008-07-04.

External links

Diving Medicine Online — Salt Water Aspiration Syndrome

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[1] Edmonds C (September 1970). "A salt water aspiration syndrome". Mil Med. 135 (9): 779–85. doi:10.1093/milmed/135.9.779. PMID 4991232.

[Edmonds_1998-2] 1 2 Edmonds, C. (1998). "Drowning syndromes: the mechanism". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal. 28 (1). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. Archived from the original on 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2008-07-04.

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