What is barotrauma?

Barotrauma is a specific type of injury that occurs when there is a significant or rapid change in pressure that affects the body's tissues. Typically, this is most commonly associated with diving, as divers experience varying pressures as they descend into or ascend from the water. When the pressure changes abruptly, especially during ascent, the gases within the body, particularly in air-filled cavities like the lungs and sinuses, can expand or contract rapidly. If the body cannot equalize the pressure quickly enough, it can lead to injuries such as ruptured eardrums, lung overexpansion injury, or damage to the sinuses.

Effective management of pressure is crucial for divers to prevent barotrauma, which is why understanding how pressure affects the body is essential in diving practices. Divers are trained to ascend and descend slowly, allowing their bodies time to adjust and equalize pressure safely, thus minimizing the risk of barotrauma.