The Risks Of Ascent
Posted By Erik Seedhouse on 2 December 2002
Pneumothorax
Air that escapes into the lung during a pulmonary barotrauma event may also enter the space outside of the lung, an airtight area called the pleural space. When air moves from the lungs into this area, the injury is termed a Pneumothorax. Pneumothorax as a result of barotrauma is relatively rare in free diving but it can be serious when it occurs. One possible result is a Tension Pneumothorax. This condition occurs when the hole that the air exited through acts as a one-way valve. Since the pleural space is airtight, the expansion of the air upon ascent places increasing pressure on the heart and the other lung. As the pressure on the heart increases, the heart becomes less able to function efficiently and can ultimately become unable to function at all. Additionally, pressure on the uninjured lung may cause it to collapse.
If this occurs, the free diver's lungs will be unable to exchange gas and may suffer a range of symptoms as listed below.
Symptoms:
- Severe pain.
- Reduction of breathing capability.
- Coughing of blood.
Treatment of such an injury normally requires a chest puncture to release the trapped air. In some cases, recompression is also necessary.
Many of the above injuries discussed in this article are associated with conventional scuba diving, and are rarely observed during free diving activities. However, an awareness of the symptoms and causes of each will ensure that safety during free diving practice and competition is enhanced and risks minimized.
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