A Commercial Diver’s Guide to Gas Embolism: A Serious Diving Injury
All commercial divers should be aware of potentially fatal condition known as gas embolism or air embolism. An air embolism occurs when gas bubbles enter the bloodstream and obstruct circulation. Gas embolism is the second leading cause of death among divers after drowning.
A gas embolism typically occurs when a diver who has been breathing compressed air is not able to fully exhale as he or she ascends. If the airway is obstructed, the expanding air in the lungs causes the lungs to overinflate. This can cause a rupture of the alveoli and force air to move into the arteries. If the gas bubbles reach the brain, the diver will lose consciousness.
Gas embolism is not linked to diving depth and may occur in as little as 6 feet of water.
A diver may experience gas embolism if he or she holds his breath during ascent, but an air embolism can also result from any airway obstruction or congestion that keeps the diver from being able to fully exhale. A diver should never dive with a cold, cough or any type of chest pain or congestion and should wait a week after all cold symptoms have passed before resuming diving.
The main symptom of gas embolism is immediate loss of consciousness. If a diver becomes unconscious, it should be assumed that the diver is experiencing gas embolism.
Signs and Symptoms of Air Embolism (These usually appear IMMEDIATELY upon surfacing)
• Dizziness • Visual Blurring • Areas of abnormal sensation • Bloody Froth from Mouth • Paralysis or Weakness • Convulsions • Unconsciousness • Pulmonary Arrest • Cardiac Arrest
Any commercial diver who has been breathing compressed air and is unconscious, or loses consciousness within ten minutes after surfacing should be treated for an air embolism with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. This treatment deflates the gas bubbles in the bloodstream and other areas of the body; the gases are dissolved into the blood and blood flow is restored. If recompression treatment is not immediately available, the diver should be kept lying down and given oxygen.
Some of these symptoms also may be the same as someone suffering from decompression sickness; however, decompression sickness is unlikely at depths under 40 feet. When there is doubt, divers should be treated for air embolism.
Air embolisms can occur for many reasons. In some cases, the diving company is responsible for the injury. In other cases, the diving company may be liable for not properly treating the injury. If you or a loved one has experienced gas embolism due to negligence by the diving company, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act or other maritime law. Contact the New Orleans maritime injury lawyers at The Young Firm to learn more, 866-938-6113.
