Burst Lung Pulmonary Barotraumas
A pulmonary barotrauma in scuba diving refers to a pressure-related injury of the lungs such as a burst lung or over-expansion.
Pulmonary Barotrauma Cause
- Holding breath on ascent
- Rapid ascent with inadequate exhalation
- Trapping of air in the lungs (due to asthma, lung disease, smoking, mucus, cough or cold)
Pulmonary Barotrauma Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing (sometimes bloody sputum)
- Cyanosis (blueness)
- Shock
- Heart irregularities
- Crackly skin
- Voice changes
- Fullness in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Leaning to affected side
- Poor chest movement of the affected side
- Deviated windpipe
Pulmonary Barotrauma Treatment
- Monitor responsiveness, airway, and breathing, and begin CPR if necessary
- Lay the diver down and maintain the airway. A diver who is nauseated, vomiting or not fully conscious should be placed on their side (recovery position)
- Administer 100% oxygen as soon as possible
- Seek medical aid immediately and arrange a consultation between attending medical personnel and a diving medical specialist
- Transfer to a recompression chamber may be required if signs of decompression illness are also present
- Non alcoholic fluids may be given, but only if the diver is fully conscious, appears to be stable and is not nauseated
- Record the details of the dive profile, first aid given and the diver's response to first aid
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