Hello, I'm an expert in emergency medicine and I can provide you with information on what happens when someone drowns in salt water.

When a person drowns in salt water, several physiological processes occur:

1. Inhalation of water: Initially, the person may inhale water into their lungs, which can lead to drowning.

2. Laryngospasm: The body's protective mechanism kicks in, causing the larynx to spasm and close off the airway to prevent water from entering the lungs.
3. Hypoxia: If water enters the lungs, it can lead to hypoxia, a condition where the body doesn't get enough oxygen.
4. Aspiration pneumonia: Inhaled salt water can cause aspiration pneumonia, an infection in the lungs due to the inhalation of foreign substances.
5. Osmotic effects: Salt water in the lungs can cause osmotic damage to lung cells due to the high salt concentration.
6. Circulatory collapse: Severe hypoxia can lead to circulatory collapse and eventually cardiac arrest.

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In a saltwater drowning, the lungs fill with salt water which draws blood out of the bloodstream and into the lungs. This liquid build up in the air sacs stops oxygen from reaching the blood. We all know we can't live without oxygen - so we die. In other words, in saltwater you basically drown in your own fluids.read more >>