Air Embolism
In the case of ruptured alveoli, air directly entering the blood vessels can cause blood flow to stop, which is a very dangerous medical condition, to say the least. The more common cerebral vascular embolization’s symptoms include dizziness, mental affect, paralysis, coma, leading to death in the worst case. These symptoms are very quick to develop upon surfacing from a dive. So, if an air embolism is suspected, oxygen and other first aid, followed by immediate transport to a hospital, are necessary. In the hospital’s recompression chamber (a small, pressurized room or tank), the diver is recompressed to a greater pressure to reduce the size of the air bubbles in the body.
The key point is never to surface while holding your breath.
Make sure to develop a pattern of always regularly breathing underwater.
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