Dropped elph camera in ocean while kayaking In and out fast. Ca photos be saved. The battery was NOT inside.

After a saltwater dunking (even briefly) the camera is a write-off, even if it seems to work for the present time. Salt crystals will be eating away at it inside and there's nothing you can do to cure it. Any batteries or memory cards could get damaged by being used in a salt-damaged camera. But the SD memory card should be OK as long as it definitely did not get wet. If it did, then soak it in a glass of de-ionised water for about ten minutes, thoroughly shake it dry and then give it another ten minutes in a fresh glass of de-ionised water. Shake it dry, then use paper towels and leave it in a warm and well ventilated area for a few hours.

This process tries to ensure that you get rid of any conductive/corrosive salt residues left behind which could fry the card when it's powered up. Note that if there is doubt as to whether the card got wet, then it's your call. Trying to recover the images without removing possible salt residues may fry it, but soaking it in water may ruin it anyway if it wasn't ruined already.

Afterwards, upload the images using an external SD card reader and then throw the SD card away as you'll never be able to trust its ability to save images again.

I hope that my reply has been of assistance in helping you to decide what to do next. Pleas take a moment to rate my answer.

The salt water is the big worry, if the photo's were on the removable memory card you might have a chance, if the photo's were on the internal memory "game over" I will assume the pictures are on the removable card, gets some rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips now carefully clean the contacts and the switch on the card. Salt is extremely corrosive when combined with water so keep in mind that this will be a long shot and time is a factor, "good luck"