The Incidence of Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Edema (SIPE) in Trainees at U.S. Navy Dive Training Facilities

Swimming-induced pulmonary edema SIPE case criteria surveys were distributed to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center NDSTC and Basic Underwater DemolitionSEAL training center BUDS. 42 surveys were collected 41 from BUDS and one from NDSTC. There were approximately 914 NDSTC enrollees and 1440 enrollees at BUDS. Combining these numbers yields a cumulative cohort of 2354 enrollees. Two of the completed surveys were positive for all five case criteria yielding a 0.085 incidence of SIPE from March 2010 through April 2011 at the two Navy dive training facilities. Considering all completed surveys as cases of SIPE, the incidence increases to 1.78. There was no correlation between return to duty time, water temperature, activity in the water or number of case criteria positive for SIPE. SIPE remains a potential cause of morbidity and lost training time amongst diving trainees. With proper identification and supportive care, it resolves relatively quickly. Compared to the reported incidence of common musculoskeletal training injuries, the incidence of SIPE at Navy dive training facilities is lower. SIPE is more commonly diagnosed at BUDS compared to the NDSTC.