Rare diving disorder caused by inhaling a mist of seawater
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
See also
References
External links
Activities Competitions Equipment Freedivers Hazards Historical Organisations
Specialties Diver organisations Diving tourism industry Diving events and festivals
Reef diving regions Reef dive sites Wreck diving regions Wreck dive sites Cave diving sites Freshwater dives Training sites Open ocean diving
Diving disorders Pressure related Oxygen Inert gases Carbon dioxide Breathing gas contaminants
Immersion related
Treatment Personnel Screening Research
Researchers in diving physiology and medicine Diving medical research organisations
Archeological sites Underwater art and artists Engineers and inventors Equipment Military and covert operations Scientific projects Incidents
Publications
Manuals Standards and Codes of Practice General non-fiction Research Dive guides
Training and registration
Diver training
Recreational scuba certification levels
Core diving skills Leadership skills Specialist skills
Diver training certification and registration organisationsCommercial diver certification authorities Commercial diving schools Free-diving certification agencies Military training centres Recreational scuba certification agencies Scientific diver certification authorities Technical certification agencies
Surface snorkeling Snorkeling/breath-hold Breath-hold Open Circuit Scuba Rebreather Sports governing organisations and federations Competitions
Pioneers of diving Underwater scientists archaeologists and environmentalists Scuba record holders Underwater filmmakers and presenters Underwater photographers Underwater explorers Aquanauts Writers and journalists Rescuers Frogmen Commercial salvors