With the recent surge in popularity of triathlons and swimming in open water events there has been an increasing incidence of SIPE.
[2][8][9] Some authors believe that SIPE may be the leading cause of death among recreational scuba divers, but there is insufficient evidence at present.
There is a movement of fluid from the alveolar capillaries into the alveoli and extravascular lung tissues, which increases with time, and is normal in healthy humans when immersed.
Oxygenation in divers may be affected by breathing gas mix and partial pressure reduction due to ascent.
[2][8][9] Acute onset of breathing problems caused by fluid accumulation in lung extravascular spaces induced by immersion, usually in cold water, often with intense physical exertion.
[3] Most of the medical literature on the topic comes from case series in military populations and divers,[4] and an epidemiological study in triathletes.
[2] A recent experimental study showed increased pulmonary artery pressure with cold water immersion, but this was done in normal subjects rather than in people with a history of SIPE.