SIPE
noun - SIPE or Swimming induced pulmonary edema or immersion pulmonary edema occurs when fluids from the blood leak abnormally from the small vessels of the lung (pulmonary capillaries) into the airspaces (alveoli). SIPE usually occurs during exertion in conditions of water immersion, such as swimming and diving. With the recent surge in popularity of triathlons and open water swimming, there has been an increasing incidence of SIPE. It has been reported in scuba divers, apnea (breath hold) free-diving competitors, combat swimmers, and triathletes. The causes are incompletely understood at the present time.
Signs and symptoms
As with other forms of pulmonary edema, the hallmark of SIPE is a cough which may lead to frothy or blood-tinged sputum. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath out of proportion to effort being expended.
- Crackles, rattling or ‘junky’ feelings deep in the chest associated with breathing effort – usually progressively worsening with increasing shortness of breath and may be cause for a panic attack
- Cough, usually distressing and productive or not of a little pink, frothy or blood-tinged sputum (hemoptysis)
- The wetsuit may feel as though it is hindering breathing ability.
SIPE in the Rottnest Channel
Anna Brotherson experienced SIPE during her 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim attempt
External links
- Wen-Erh Hsu, Swimming with SIPE: Can I Tolerate This A Little Longer?
- USA Triathlon Fatality Incidents Study Released
- Shared Responsibility In The Triathlon World
- A Reasonable And Realistic Path Forward By USA Triathlon
- Acronyms In The Open Water Swimming World
- Life-threatening Conditions In The Ocean
