Snorkeling Danger: Michigan Woman Sues Over Husband's Death from Little-Known Pulmonary Edema

A Michigan woman is suing Hawaii tourism authorities, alleging that her husband's death while snorkeling could have been prevented by an awareness campaign about a rare but fatal condition known as Rapid Onset Pulmonary Edema (ROPE). Despite evidence suggesting ROPE as a significant contributor to tourist drowning deaths in the state, the lawsuit claims that Hawaii tourism organizations have failed to warn visitors about the risks.

Ray Johnson, a 64-year-old experienced snorkeler, passed away in February 2022 during a snorkeling excursion off the coast of Maui. According to an autopsy report, his official cause of death was drowning, a leading cause of fatality among tourists in Hawaii. However, his widow, Patti Johnson, along with her attorney, Jay Stuemke, strongly dispute the traditional drowning narrative.

"He told a friend, 'I'm having trouble breathing,'" recounted Stuemke. "They tried to bring him in, but he died on the beach." Unlike traditional drowning, which typically involves aspiration of water, Stuemke believes Johnson's death was most likely caused by ROPE, a condition where the lungs suddenly fill with bodily fluids, severely impairing breathing and leading to hypoxia.

According to a 2017 study conducted by the state Department of Health, numerous risk factors can contribute to ROPE deaths in snorkelers. These include physiological changes induced by recent air travel, the prone position of the swimmer in the water, and the resistance to inhalation caused by the narrow tube of snorkels.

Johnson's lawsuit alleges that the Hawaii Tourism Authority and other groups have failed to warn tourists adequately about ROPE, despite having knowledge of the risks and access to the safety study's findings. According to Stuemke, these warnings are not prominently featured on any website, brochure, or video.

Between 2012 and 2021, a stark contrast emerged in snorkeling-related deaths, with 184 tourists perishing compared to only 20 local residents. Patti Johnson has taken the initiative to distribute cards containing information about ROPE to anyone she encounters planning a snorkeling trip.

Despite the Hawaii House of Representatives attempting to pass a bill requiring the recording of data on snorkels used by drowning victims, the bill never became law, highlighting the lack of attention given to this issue.

The 2017 study found that full face masks, while used in some cases where drowning occurred, can create challenges in urgent situations where the mask cannot be removed quickly or the snorkel cannot be spit out to improve breathing.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, and Accor Management have remained silent on the matter, despite requests for comment on the pending lawsuit. Prospective snorkelers are encouraged to visit www.snorkelsafetystudy.org for further information about ROPE and safety recommendations.