1. Don't Bring the Ocean Home With You
Scuba diving is an exciting recreational sport. However, there's more to it than strapping on flippers and an oxygen tank and going swimming with the fishes. Accidents and injuries can happen under the water--some are common and some rare. One rare condition that can result from Scuba diving is salt water aspiration syndrome. This occurs when a small amount of salt water is inhaled into the lungs, causing breathing problems. This can happen during free ascent, from a faulty mouthpiece seal or demand valve, or during buddy breathing (sharing of a demand valve between two divers, most often during an emergency situation).
2. A Delayed Reaction
Salt water aspiration syndrome is not a condition that makes itself known immediately. The inhalation of salt water may be so minute as to go unnoticed. In some cases, the diver may be home before symptoms appear. In most cases, it takes about 1 or 2 hours. The affected diver will have shortness of breath, shivering, a low-grade fever and a pain in the chest. He may be achy and feel extremely tired. A persistent cough may develop. Nausea and vomiting are also possible. In rare instances, salt water aspiration syndrome can later lead to adult respiratory distress syndrome, which can lead to respiratory failure.
3. It May Not Be What You Think It Is
Signs of salt water aspiration syndrome are similar to another scuba diving malady known as pulmonary barotrauma. In this condition, pressure causes overinflation of the lungs upon ascent. As a result, air can leak from the lungs and become trapped between the chest wall and lungs, causing pneumothorax (collapsing of the lungs) or pneumomediastinum (air getting into tissue around the heart). Both of these possibly deadly conditions are marked by shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain. If the condition is not clearly evident, it's best to treat for pulmonary barotrauma over salt water aspiration syndrome.
4. Breathing Easier
Rest and keeping warm is usually enough to treat salt water aspiration syndrome, and no medical attention is even necessary. Oxygen may need to be administered for those cases where shortness of breath or a cough persists. Pain relievers can also be prescribed, as can inhaled bronchodilators to ease any spasms of the bronchial tubes. In extremely rare instances, the inhaled salt water might be contaminated, which may lead to infection that would need close monitoring and medical care.
5. Put Diving Safety Where Your Mouth Is
Most cases of salt water aspiration syndrome can be linked to faulty diving apparatus. Salt water can leak around a bad mouthpiece seal or faulty demand valve and get into the lungs. Test the regulator before diving to make sure it is in proper working condition. Proper technique is also needed (keeping your mouth firmly closed over the mouthpiece). Carry an alternate air supply to reduce the need for buddy breathing in an emergency.
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