SSI Science Of Diving Practice Exam

Lung overexpansion injuries occur when a diver ascends too rapidly while holding their breath, leading to an increase in volume of the air in their lungs that exceeds their lung’s capacity to accommodate. This can cause severe injuries due to the expansion of air in the respiratory system.

The correct answer includes Air Embolism, Mediastinal Emphysema, Subcutaneous Emphysema, and Pneumothorax, all of which are specific injuries associated with lung overexpansion during diving:

- Air embolism occurs when air bubbles enter the bloodstream due to lung overexpansion, which can block blood vessels and lead to serious complications.

- Mediastinal emphysema is the presence of air in the mediastinum, the area between the lungs, caused by the rupture of lung tissue from overexpansion.

- Subcutaneous emphysema involves air escaping into the subcutaneous tissue of the neck or chest, often originating from a rupture in the lung.

- Pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural space surrounding the lung, which can also result from over-expansion injuries, leading to lung collapse or difficulty breathing.

These conditions specifically highlight the dangers of not following safe ascent rates as part of proper