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Chapter 26 — 2
TREATMENT
The condition is self limiting and resolves without treatment within 2-24 hours.
Rest
and the
administration of
100% oxygen
by mask for several hours until the symptoms have abated, is
of considerable value. The oxygen not only relieves the hypoxia but produces dramatic
resolution of the symptoms of this syndrome.
Because of the nature of the symptoms, it is necessary to distinguish the salt water aspiration
syndrome from other serious conditions such as decompression sickness (chokes), pulmonary
barotrauma (burst lung), severe infection and pneumonia – which can all present with some
or all of the features of this condition.
PREVENTION
The condition can be prevented by avoiding situations which will result in the aspiration of
seawater. Buddy breathing from a single regulator can be a fruitful source of the syndrome if
the shared demand valve is not adequately cleared of water. Others include a towed search,
poor regulator performance, exhaustion of air supply and free ascent practice. Proper
maintenance of the demand regulator and its exhaust valves, is important.
Other cases develop on the surface, after divers remove the demand valve to talk – as they are
wont to do. Similar symptoms are observed in surfers and victims rescued from the sea
(especially by helicopters, which produce a strong down draft causing a sea water spray).
Some divers are especially vulnerable based on hyperactive airways, with a history of hay
fever or asthma. In respiratory laboratories, aerosol inhalations of hypertonic saline (sea
water) are used to provoke these breathing difficulties and demonstrate susceptibility to the
syndrome.