Arterial Gas Embolism in Breath-Hold Diver

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2024 First Quarter;51(1):93-95.ABSTRACTAn arterial gas embolism (AGE) is a potentially fatal complication of scuba diving that is related to insufficient exhalation during ascent. During breath-hold diving, an arterial gas embolism is unlikely because the volume of gas in the lungs generally cannot exceed the volume at the beginning of the dive. However, if a diver breathes from a gas source at any time during the dive, they are at risk for an AGE or other pulmonary overinflation syndromes (POIS). In this case report, a breath-hold diver suffered a suspected AGE due to rapidly ascending without exhalation following breathing from an air pocket at approximately 40 feet.PMID:38615358
Source: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Source Type: research