Pulmonary Barotrauma with Short Interval Shallow Freedives

[Blueringocto_73]

So lung squeeze (PBT) is not an uncommon event with deep freedives. However I personally didn't realize that it could occur with shallow dives. So in my case while making laps around a cold swimming pool (59F) and diving to 12ft./4meters with each lap I experienced it.

After about 1/3 kilometer I was getting a raspy sound on exhalation with shortness of breath (more than I would expect normally). Exiting the pool area I was coughing up copious amount of thick clear liquid. Making it to the bathroom the liquid had a yellow color and after more coughing it was pink froth. There was a burning feeling in my chest.

2 hours post and there really isn't that much there now. When I saw the pink froth it prompted me to research the phenomenon online. Now I know it can be extremely serious leading to death, but usually resolves. So I am a bit more at ease.

I took a very warm shower afterwards and the warmth running down my back produced some relief. I will be seeing my primary care physician in a couple of days who is not a dive medicine professional.

 

[Khrissi]

Bloody hell mate ! I free dive a bit n do not like the sound of that ! Get well soon. K

 

[Jcp2]

Immersion pulmonary edema could be another consideration.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

So I researched Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE) on the DAN website. While symptoms appear similar, IPE generally does not produce chest pain. I was surprised to read that. It may help to narrow down the injury to PBT.

That said I feel absolutely fine many hours later. No sign of the illness in my chest. My breathing is quiet and my strength and stamina have markedly improved. It's odd that a malady that could certainly kill you disappears so quickly.

I'm not going to be diving for awhile. I may see how I feel after swimming in a few days. Nothing with too much exertion. Try to ease back into it. That is based on case reports of other divers.

Immersion pulmonary edema could be another consideration.

 

[drk5036]

So I think you should probably see a doctor...?

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Absolutely right. I have an appointment scheduled already. But as I mentioned I really don't have any symptoms of significance. PBT is a real mystery to me and apparently many medical professionals have not studied its effects.

So I think you should probably see a doctor...?

 

[arew+4]

I wonder if the temperature of the pool may have contributed. I would think there must be at least some reduction of blood flow to the extremities no matter how acclimated some one is to that temp.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Yes in the cooler water the body concentrates blood volume in the core/chest cavity. It is thought to be a contributing factor. It's interesting that PBT is almost exclusively associated with freediving/apnea and not scuba.

I wonder if the temperature of the pool may have contributed. I would think there must be at least some reduction of blood flow to the extremities no matter how acclimated some one is to that temp.

 

[undrwater]

A call to DAN perhaps, at least to provide some pertinent questions or ideas to bring up to your physician?

Get well!

 

[dmaziuk]

So I researched Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE) on the DAN website. While symptoms appear similar, IPE generally does not produce chest pain.

Try SIPE in triathletes, apparently 10% report "chest tightness". They're iron men, perhaps their "tightness" is what we call "pain".